Reflection on MLK Day

Today is January 19^th, 2015, Martin Luther King Jr. day.  Each year we take this day to reflect on our country’s history, on civil rights and on social justice – at least that’s what I take from it. I guess it’s easy because I work for a non-profit which promotes civil rights and social justice from a Jewish perspective and it’s because of that Jewish perspective that a news story this morning struck a nerve with me.  “Argentine prosecutor who accused Fernandez of Iran plot found dead”

I don’t have Argentine blood, or even any real connection to the country besides a visit to the AMIA building on a JDC

(FILE) Firemen and policemen search for wounded people after a bomb exploded at the Argentinian Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, 18 July 1994. AFP PHOTO/Ali BURAFI (Photo credit should read ALI BURAFI/AFP/Getty Images)

“Spring Break” social justice trip in college. We visited with Holocaust survivors and Hillel students, all of whom lived through the 1994 bombing of their “Jewish Federation”. 300 people were injured and 85 killed. There was never any resolution, just accusations flying about, until 2006 when a prosecutor Alberto Nisman started investigating a so-called cover-up involving Iran.

Knowing Argentina’s checkered post Holocaust past I would have thought some neo-Nazi group was to blame, but then again, Iran isn’t exactly a friendly country towards Jews, now is it? Since 2006, Nisman has formally accused current President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of covering up Iran’s involvement. He claims that the cover-up “intended to clear the suspects so Argentina could start swapping grains for much-needed oil from Iran, which denies any connection with the bombing.”

Prosecutor Alberto Nisman

Last night Alberto Nisman, who has a 10 person security detail because of his investigation, was found shot dead in his Buenos Aires apartment. Today is the day he would have testified in court against President Fernandez.

Jessi Sheslow is the Director of Community Relations and the Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative for The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

Proceeding with caution: Israel-Iran update

Tikkun Olam means to repair the world.  This simple phrase holds a great amount of significance within the Jewish culture as well as around the globe. Ever since its formation in 1945, after one of the worst periods the world had ever seen, the United Nations has worked to uphold its mission of repairing the world through promoting peace and international cooperation.

Last week the leaders of countries around the globe came to New York City for the 68^th meeting of the General Assembly.  193 countries’ views were expressed; however, three countries in particular gave notable speeches on one topic, Iran.  President Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and President Rouhani of Iran all talked about an issue that has worried the world for several years, a nuclear Iran.

The threat of a nuclear Iran directly threatens the safety and security of the Jewish State of Israel.  The new democratically elected president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, is seen as a moderate compared to past presidents.  He recently admitted that the Holocaust did occur which is a stride in the right direction.  Rouhani and Obama had a phone conversation marking the first direct contact between the United States President and an Iranian president in 34 years.  These actions have proven that Rouhani is different than Ahmadinejad was; however, the simple fact that remains is that those are a few actions done by Iran out of many and the Ayatollah Kahmeini still truly holds the power in Iran.

The international community desires to have one less conflict in the world and with the potential for one to be resolved, countries around the globe are watching to see what happens.  President Obama has stated he is willing to start diplomatic proceedings with Rouhani and Iran but will do so with caution. He said that he would like to reach an agreement with the Rouhani and has instructed John Kerry to pursue such an agreement with close cooperation with the European Union, as well as Russia and China.  These proceedings mark a major turning point in International Affairs and give a beacon of hope that a conflict that has plagued the Middle East and elicited many conflicts in that region may get solved. However, this must be done cautiously.

We as the Jewish people must keep the State of Israel in mind and must not forget the previous actions and statements of Iran.  Rouhani offers a moderate point of view from a country that has been consistently conservative in its beliefs of the State of Israel, which is that it has no right to exist.  Actions such as those must not be forgotten. Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “ I wish I could believe Rouhani, but I don’t because facts are stubborn things. And the facts are that Iran’s savage record flatly contradicts Rouhani’s soothing rhetoric.”  Netanyahu’s point is one that must not be forgotten.  The peaceful rhetoric of the newly elected president cannot cloud the fact that Iran’s economic sanctions were put in place for a reason.  That is not to say Rouhani can’t be trusted, but rather we must wait to see if Rouhani proves that he can be trusted.

The Middle East is a region in turmoil.  Headlines continue to come out of that region on a weekly basis.  Iran, Syria, and Egypt all have caused the world to watch carefully as to what unfolds in those respective countries.  The situations in Syria and Egypt have taken an ancillary role to that of Iran; however, that is not to say they are any less important than the Iran situation.  Israel is surrounded by nations that threaten its very existence.  As Jewish people we must not forget the State of Israel and ensure that it continues to flourish in a region that wants anything but that.  I stand with Israel in peace and conflict; the question is who else will? Will the United States begin diplomatic proceedings with Iran? Or will the United States stand by what Netanyahu said? All are questions with answers that will soon appear.

Sources:

http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/68/IL_en.pdf

http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/68/US_en_0.pdf

http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/68/IR_en.pdf

Grant C. is the Israel Advocacy Intern at The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.