While there has been a lot going on inside the U.S., from the tragic
devastation of Hurricane Ian to the upcoming mid-term elections, the
press continues to cover international matters of importance as well.
Sadly, however, in many respects we haven't seen the press focus the
appropriate amount of attention on the protests going on in Iran. That
may not be the only reason the U.S. continues to make serious missteps
in this context, but the failure by a great deal of the mainstream media
in this context certainly isn't helping matters.

Despite Brutality, Protests Growing

Innocent Iranian people are dying because they've come to Patrick
Henry's conclusion on the choice between liberty and death. As we've
reported before, the current protests started when the Iranian Morality
Police arrested a young woman for failing to properly wear her hijab.
She died while in custody and sparked the most widespread protests
we've seen in more than a decade inside the Islamic Republic.

A singular act of violence may spark a moment of uproar, but for that to
translate into a nationwide movement so impactful that Iranian thugs are
now beating and shooting dissidents and protestors in the streets, it
takes something more. There has long been a seething hatred for the
regime amongst average Iranians. The murder of their sister by the
criminals that run the Islamic Republic was simply the spark that lit
the long simmering embers of dissent.

And these protests, which have in the past been largely focused on
universities and in major cities, are expanding across the country. As
one Wall Street Journal headline recently noted, "Unrest in Iran
Spreads to Remote, Restive Provinces." This is more than outrage and
anger. It's a movement. It's the generational embrace of the very
principles that our country's founding fathers fought for in 1776. The
people of Iran want the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. And we should be supporting them at every available
opportunity.

From Iran to Europe

As pro-Israel activists, we pay attention to how Israel is treated by
other nations. We welcome support for Israel and are angered by hatred
towards the Jewish state, whether such is exhibited here at home or
abroad. The same is true, and exponentially more impactful, for
dissidents around the world. It is, therefore, deeply meaningful, that
in Switzerland, there was a large protest in front of the Iranian
Embassy, in Bern.

Similar to what took place in Switzerland, protests against the Iranian
regime in France, drew thousands from all walks of life - from French
citizens of Iranian heritage to politicians. These actions matter. News
of solidarity the free world is exhibiting with Iranian dissidents will
reach Iran's oppressed people, and God-willing, galvanize them. They
know that they are not alone. They know the whole world is watching and
praying for their success. And the governments of these Western nations
will also take notice, and may be motivated to enact policies that
isolate Iran's regime.

There, but not Here

Sadly, the opposite is also true. Leadership failures by free countries
embolden Iran's thugs and are dispiriting to Iran's patriots. The
Biden administration, while paying lip service to supporting the
protestors, is failing them. No matter who you are, President or
protestor, actions still speak louder than words. And the President of
the United States is not acting in the manner befitting the leader of
the free world.

First, Iran has announced (though the U.S. has laughably rejected any
link) that our government will unfreeze around $7 billion in Iranian
assets, just as two American hostages are being freed by the Islamic
Republic. Second, Iran has also announced that they are communicating
with the U.S. through intermediaries to, yet again, resume negotiations
over Iran's nuclear program, which would free up even more cash for
the regime to use to brutalize its citizens.

These actions, especially as they are being taken while Iranians are
dying in the streets, are an abomination. By simply talking to Iran, let
alone providing them with more pallets of cash, the United States is
betraying our principles, our allies, and the Iranian people. This is
not how you honor freedom's martyrs. This is not how you act if
you're the leader of the free world. This is a disgrace to the office
once held by Washington and Lincoln. We are not an amoral country, and
we are not weak. History and decency demand Mr. Biden stop acting as if
we are both.

Sincerely,

The CUFI Action Fund Team

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