Not allowing AIPAC Push the U.S. Into War with Iran

MEDIA ALERT

Not allowing AIPAC Push the U.S. Into War with Iran

Tikkun Magazine and the Network of Spiritual Progressives issued the following statement on behalf of our 150,000 members:
Liberal and progressive Jews and our allies in the interfaith Network of Spiritual Progressives will not let AIPAC push the U.S. into war with Iran!! Tikkun and NSP are teaming up with Peace Action West to stop this war before it starts!!!

The run-up to war doesn’t happen overnight. It’s made up of small steps to slowly build acceptance for the idea of military action.

A group of senators have introduced just such a bill that urges US military and other support if Israel attacks Iran. Our members are contacting senators to oppose this backdoor to war with Iran.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a powerful lobbying group with hawkish positions on Iran and a blind support for Israel's right-wing government that has been agitating for a preemptive first strike on Iran, is marching on the Hill this week, bringing thousands of supporters to DC to lobby in favor of this bill. That's why we at the interfaith (and atheist-welcoming) Network of Spiritual Progressives have aligned ourselves with Peace Action to challenge AIPAC. AIPAC does not speak for us!
AIPAC's policies frequently support directions that are really bad for Israel, for the Palestinian people, for world Jewry, and for global peace!!! So that's why it is so essential to have the voice of Tikkun and the Network of Spiritual Progressives, in alliance with other groups, challenging this destructive direction. In Tikkun magazine we've explained in detail why an assault on Iran is destructive to Israel's best interests, and destructive to the best interests of the U.S. and global peace. Last year at this time we bought a full page ad in the NY Times against a first strike on Iran, and we will do that again, this time in the Washington Post.

While the resolution is nonbinding, it sends a very dangerous message. When powerful senators from both parties officially announce that the US should back Israel in the event of an ill-conceived attack on Iran, it undermines ongoing diplomatic efforts and normalizes the idea of bombing Iran.

We know an attack on Iran would be shortsighted and tragic. That's why our members are letting their senators know that many Americans are not going to sit back quietly while they take us on a path toward war.

For more information, contact:
Rabbi Michael Lerner
Editor, Tikkun magazine and chair, The Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP)(
RabbiLerner.tikkun@gmail.com, www.tikkun.org

web: www.spiritualprogressives.org

email: info@spiritualprogressives.org

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