AIPAC blasts latest Iran sanctions as ‘weak’

Israel lobby calls for tougher measures after Tehran’s recent testing of ballistic missiles

ed note–remember as you read this, that every time someone–from Mel Gibson to Bishop Richard Williamson to Walt and Mearscheimer to various heads of state–even INTIMATE that Jewish power is what sets and steers American foreign policy, the various Judaic sirens, from ADL to WJC to AJC et al–begin concerted, coordinated screeching campaigns alleging that such charges are ‘canards’ rooted in ‘anti-Semitic conspiracy theories’.

And yet, here we have the largest lobby in the United States, busted several times for espionage against America, once again turning its nose up at decisions made by American leaders at least acting under the pretenses that said decisions were based upon what was in America’s interests.

Next–why does AIPAC or any other group working for organized Jewish interests need to worry about how the US deals with Iran? Remember, the entire narrative surrounding the creation of the Jewish state is that this is what GAAAAAAAWD wants and therefore, since this is GAAAAAAAWD’S will than GAAAAAAAWD will do exactly what he did in all those stories of the past–the plagues upon Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, Mannah from heaven, pillar of fire at night and dust storm during the day, in order to deliver and protect his ‘chosen’ people.

Times of Israel

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee dismissed as “weak” recent US sanctions on Iran for testing ballistic missiles, a sign of continued tensions between the influential lobby and the Obama administration in the wake of the Iran nuclear deal.

“These limited sanctions are too weak to affect Iran’s behavior,” AIPAC said Monday of the new sanctions, which target an industrial group involved in manufacturing the missiles, the missile command of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, and companies providing support to Mahan Air, which is affiliated with the Guards Corps.

“America must respond to Tehran’s recurring provocations with swift and meaningful penalties,” the prominent Israel lobby said.

AIPAC called for “crippling sanctions” that would “cast a wider net and target entities providing material support to Iran’s illicit ballistic missile program, including within financial and transportation services.”

The AIPAC statement was notable for its rarity both for blasting an action targeting Iran and because AIPAC generally opposes administration policy through the backing of congressional legislation, shying away from public statements.

AIPAC, however, in recent months has not been able to identify bipartisan Iran-related legislation suitable for backing. There are a number of bills backed by either Democrats or Republicans, but AIPAC abjures backing purely partisan bills.

The “crippling” sanctions AIPAC calls for, targeting third parties, are precisely the category that the Iran nuclear deal has for now removed. The Obama administration is unlikely to reimpose them as long as Iran is complying with the sanctions relief for nuclear rollback deal.

US officials, including President Barack Obama, have said the missile testing violates the spirit of last year’s Iran nuclear deal, but say Iran is observing the letter of the agreement.

The US Treasury announced the new sanctions on March 24, months after Iran had tested the missiles, and after weeks of pressure from pro-Israel groups, US allies in the region, and congressional Republicans and Democrats.

AIPAC said the entities named by the Treasury are subsidiaries of already targeted entities, rendering the sanctions “largely symbolic.”

The Treasury often adds subsidiaries and individuals affiliated with already sanctioned entities to its sanctions list as a means of tightening the noose and reminding third parties that it is actively targeting dealings with Iran.

The Obama administration has sought to reassure Israel and other allies in the Middle East that it continues to act against Iran for its hostile actions unrelated to the nuclear deal. On Monday, the US Navy reported that on March 28, it intercepted an Iranian arms shipment for the third time in recent weeks. This time, the shipment was likely bound for Houthi insurgents in Yemen.