NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed deep concern about flaws in the agreement struck in Geneva between the P5 plus 1 powers and Iran.  But the League pledged it would work to promote a final agreement which ensures Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon.

Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director issued the following statement:

The efforts of the U.S. and the P5 plus 1 to bring Iran to the table for substantive negotiations to accept some limits on their nuclear activity are an important step forward.  But Iran's record of noncompliance makes us skeptical of providing sanctions relief before Iran has taken tangible steps to dismantle its nuclear program.  Instead, this interim agreement allows them to continue enrichment and maintain a breakout capability.  Iran has not earned these concessions and has, in the past, used respites from international pressure to surreptitiously make progress in its nuclear program.

Now that the agreement has been achieved, all parties must work to uphold and rigorously enforce the existing sanctions regime.  The U.S. and the international community should sustain the pressure that brought about this forward movement and make clear that any and all violations will be punished.  As the parties move into negotiations over a final agreement, the U.S. and the other P5 plus 1 countries must make clear that the end goal is to prevent Iran from having the ability to develop nuclear weapons and from restarting its nuclear weapons program.  Promises and partial measures by Iran will not be enough.

We commend Congress and the Obama Administration who, together, have built an international coalition and a sanctions regime that we hope will, at the end of the day, halt Iran's nuclear program.

We have been troubled by the heightened tensions between the U.S. and Israel in recent days.  We understand that, for Israel, this is an existential issue and that America's stakes in a positive outcome are extremely high as well, but not as critical.  Now is the time for both governments to work together more closely than ever toward a solution that will meet their shared goals.

The Anti-Defamation League is the leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_News

SOURCE Anti-Defamation League

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