These are tense and scary days. We’re getting texts from family and friends in Israel as they run yet again to their bomb shelters. And we’re watching with deep sadness those who have no shelters and are suffering because of it. The stakes in this war are already extremely high. And it could get worse. One of our biggest fears is that the fighting will ignite a catastrophic regional war. 

In this context, reports that President Trump is considering sending American forces to engage in battle are deeply worrying. America should be engaging in diplomacy, not sending forces into combat without Congressional approval.

Write your Members of Congress. Ask them to join War Powers Resolutions that would block American forces from joining the war with Iran without Congressional approval.

Congressional resolutions to block the President from committing American forces to attack Iran unless Congress specifically authorized have been introduced on the Senate side by Tim Kaine (D-VA) and on the House side by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). It’s really important to note, nothing in the resolutions would stop American forces from continuing to defend Israel from ballistic missile attacks. 

The idea that military force can block Iran from developing a nuclear weapon is a fallacy. At best, military action can set Iran back. At worst, military action will make Iranian hardliners desperate to build a bomb---and fast!  

Diplomatic agreements, on the other hand, have a track record of success. Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon was blocked by the 2015 nuclear agreement. It was only after President Trump's withdrawal from that agreement that we saw a surge in Iranian nuclear activity. 

Take action now to prevent this war from exploding into a bigger disaster.

In this crucial moment, it's incredibly important for us to speak out on this issue. We want this war to end, not to spread. 

Thank you,
 

Hadar Susskind
President & CEO, NJN