- Freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of the press
- Immediate cessation of human rights abuses, the release of demonstrators from prisons and protection for minority communities
- Prosecution of those responsible for the murder of Neda Agha-Soltan and the many other victims engaged in the recent protests
- Full compliance and cooperation by Iran with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Security Council resolutions including an end to all uranium enrichment in Iran
- End to incitement to genocide and support for terrorism
These sound like entirely reasonable demands and at first glance it appears that Stand for Freedom is nothing more than a pro-reformist group advocating Iranian democracy. The list does not refer to regime change or the danger of Islamist extremism. It does not warn that Iran seeks a nuclear holocaust against Israel as do many pro-Israel groups (including the Conference itself). But this is most assuredly a group which does NOT support a reformed Iranian regime. Rather, it supports, to the extent it has any clearly defined agenda, far more radical goals.
As with all things related to Iran or Israel, you have to delve a little deeper to discover who the sponsoring organizations are:
Progressive American Iranian Committee
Jewish Community Relations Council of New York
NAACP – New York Conference
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
American Federation of Teachers
UJA-Federation of New York
National Interagency Taskforce on Iran
What’s interesting about this list is the fairly mainstream (but solidly pro-Israel) groups like the UJA Federation and JCRC alongside labor unions and civil rights/minority organizations. The Iranian group, according to the leader of a national Iranian-American organization I consulted, is a hawkish neo-con group that favors regime change and a secular Iran. One of the other Iranian groups is a front for the People’s Mujahadeen, an anti-regime radical sect that is listed by the U.S. Treasury as a terrorist organization. All of this is a deliberate strategy of the Conference and the Israeli foreign ministry to transform the Iran-Israel conflict in the minds of Americans from a messy distant bilateral confrontation between two extreme Middle Eastern countries into a multilateral campaign by gay rights, feminists, labor activists and minorities opposed to Iran’s extreme Islamist regime. It’s a fairly clever strategy though quite transparent on deeper inspection.
Finally, a word about the last group on the list. The Conference of Presidents, perhaps knowing of its ideologically partisan pro-Israel reputation has disguised its involvement behind the newly minted National Interagency Taskforce on Iran. It is essentially a front for the Conference, though it may actually be composed of some agencies and organizations affiliated with it, for all I know.
Those with a memory of last year’s anti-Iran demonstration at the UN will recall that the Conference and its director, Malcolm Hoenlein invited Sarah Palin, in the midst of a presidential election campaign, to keynote that event. Democrats and liberal Jews raised such a stink that Hoenlein attempted to salvage the event by inviting Hillary Clinton. But she wisely demurred and Hoenlein then withdrew Palin’s invitation as well. This year, the Conference is wisely attempting a different, but no less suspect, organizing strategy.
Among the partnering organizations are the usual hardline pro-Israel advocacy groups including StandWithUs, the ADL, American Jewish Committee, Republican Jewish Coalition, Young Israel, National Jewish Democratic Council, the David Project, and ZOA.
Therefore, Stand With Freedom, both the group and the event, are a bought and paid for creation of the Conference of Presidents which, in turn, is doing the bidding of the Israeli government in ratcheting up pressure on the Iranian regime. The ultimate goal, as I’ve written consistently here, is to lay the groundwork for a potential Israeli attack on Iran.
So my main warning about this event and its sponsoring group is that it is a front in Israel’s effort to demonize Iran and turn it into a potential target for military action. To any supporting group that is now involved in the scheduled rally or considers becoming involved, know what you’re getting yourself into. Caveat emptor.
Thank you for shining a bright light on this. The London Times, today, writes the IAEA is hiding bombs in Iran.
The article is here: “http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6825263.ece”. Sorry, not as a link. By the way, could someone help me finding a pattern here?
The Times article does no such thing. It reports Kouchner’s (a card-carrying Friend Of Israel (TM) if there ever was one) and Israel’s complaints over the non-inclusion in an IAEA report of information the agency allegedly has. The money quote is at the end:
The agency is not compelled (and would be beyond stupid if they thought they were) to publish every piece if unverified information – and disinformation – they are provided by member state’s intelligence agencies.
You’re right, I was speeding (and half off-topic at that). Still, the London Times did not elaborate on your correct IAEA-should-not-do-rumours point. Nor on “evidence” versus “suggestion”. France and Israel even did mention and push their secret information. Secret intelligence made into PR? Israel, non-signer of the non-proliferation NPT, saying IAEA should take a better look into Iran? “Western intelligence agencies … suggesting” the same? The pattern is “Irax”.
And yep: NY Times jumps in, relaying the US-ambassador to the IAEA’s talk (Intelligence into PR). Plus unquoted NYT copy: “Much of the country’s early activity was missed for nearly 18 years” (So one can fill the gaps as suitable). Which agency sleeps for 18 yrs on nuclear stuff in the Middle East? Richard has taken over, see above.
I see some of the participating organizations are the AJC and the ZOA, Hillel, and some other fairly rightwing Zionist organizations with neocon connections. I would imagine this is precisely the kind of opposition to the Iranian regime that would actually help Mr. Ahmadinejad and further demonize his opposition by demonstrating that “Iran’s enemies are funded by Zionists.” And in this case they would be half right.
Absolutely right. This type of standoff actually helps the radical rejectionists on both sides, Israeli & Iranian, who are spoiling for confrontation & a fight.
These look like a good group of standards to which to hold Israel accountable – doing so requires little rewording. To which one can add, equality of civil rights for inhabitants of Israel and the Territories
And so, one can hold the groups accountable for not expecting the same of Israel.
I have to look up more info about Israel and the IAEC.
I think the US should supply nuclear technology to Iran. This would have 2 benefits. First, it would enhance Iran-US relationships, and second, Iran would do the dirty work in enforcing UN resolutions, includind the right of return. Sanctions are the equivalent of military actions
You’re a genius. Can someone please post a comment that is halfway intelligent to make up for such lameness.
Correction: the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
“Therefore, Stand With Freedom, both the group and the event, are a bought and paid for creation of the Conference of Presidents which, in turn, is doing the bidding of the Israeli government in ratcheting up pressure on the Iranian regime. ”
It also divides the attention of the Jewish community, and directs focus away from Palestine, the settlements, internal conflicts in Israel, conflicts between perceived values in the US and Israel, et cetera.
I, myself, am not particularly thrilled with the idea of nuclear weapons in the hands of fanatic Shi’ites. Just as I’m not too thriled with the idea of nuclear weapons in the hands of fanatic Hindus, or fanatic Jews, or fanatic Bhuddists, or fanatic Christians either. But Israel’s war with Iran will result in an international crisis of catastrophic proportions.
I’m assuming that Israel’s intentions will be to A) deal with Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons programme; B) deal with the Iran’s alleged weapons for Hamas programme; and C) deal with Ahmadinejad himself for his past anti-holocaust and anti-semitic rhetoric. All of the above worry me because of the potentially high number of civilian deaths and casualties and more importantly because of the way these deaths and casualties will come about. Judging by Israel’s assault on a defenceless population earlier this year when it comes to war “the most moral army in the world” is anything but. If we saw white phosphorous over Gaza, what on earth will we see over Tehran? It honestly scares the hell out of me – especially knowing that the Israeli war machine has an obvious taste for carnage and when it comes to Iran they have a very large bone to pick. They have a statement to make against anti-semitism and holocaust denial and the Hamas regime all in one campaign and Israel may never get another chance like this. And when it’s all over what then? With Iran dealt with, who will be Israel’s next enemy? Because Israel always needs an enemy. Zionism cannot exist without an enemy or a threat – real or imagined.
War with Iran is a condition for peace with the Palestinians. How ironic. War for peace. Or should that be peace for war? Whichever, Israelis and Palestinians are never going to see peace. Because as I’ve already pointed Israel will have another enemy that she will go crying to the international community about. Crying that the threat is real and imminent and more important than negotiating peace with her neighbours.
On another note (sort of), has anybody taken a look at the Global Peace Index? It’s quite interesting.
According to the Index, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is more peaceful than Israel. Pakistanis are more peaceful than Israelis. The Lebanese and the Syrians are more peaceful than the Israelis. Saudi Arabians are more peaceful than Israelis. The Iranians are more peaceful than the Israelis. Zimbabwe is more peaceful than Israel. My God, even North Koreans are more peaceful than Israelis!
Of the 144 nations listed in the Index, Israel is number 141, faring only slightly better than Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
See here: http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings.php