ADL Responds to Los Angeles Times Editorial on Iran

Date: October 13, 2009

The following letter was sent to the Los Angeles Times:

October 1, 2009
To the Editor:

Alistair Crooke gets it dangerously wrong about the regional implications of a nuclear Iran ("The Power and Threat of Iran," Oct. 1). In fact, not only Israel but the Arab world is terrified about such a prospect.

While Arab countries have believed for 40 years that Israel has had its own nuclear program (Israel has never admitted to such), with the exception of the "crazies" Khadaffi and Saddam, they have not felt the need to pursue their own programs. This because despite their rhetoric about Israel being the great threat to them, they know full well that Israel is no such threat. Arab reactions speak louder than their words.

On the other hand, now that Iran is getting closer to a bomb, countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia are pursuing their own programs. They truly and viscerally understand what a nuclear Iran would mean for their security.

The lesson is clear: the international community must stop Iran from getting a bomb not merely for Israel's sake but to stop a nuclear arms race in the region that could become the greatest threat for nuclear Armageddon in the world. This is not the time for defeatism. The repression in Iran and the revelation of the secret Qom facility provide the international community with the moment to impress upon Iran that it will act strongly if Iran does not agree to suspend its nuclear program.

Nicole Mutchnik
Regional Board Chair, Anti-Defamation League
Pacific Southwest Region, Los Angeles