APN Applauds House Committee for Clarifying that Bill Doesn't Authorize Use of Force Against Iran

APN Applauds House Committee for Clarifying that Bill doesn’t Authorize Use of Force against Iran; Urges Passage of “Iran Special Envoy” Amendment,

techi.com

(WASHINGTON DC) - Last night the House began consideration of HR FY13 National Defense Authorization Act.

Americans for Peace Now (APN) has serious concerns that Part C of the bill could be interpreted as an authorization of use of force against Iran. APN strongly supports the amendment offered by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Walter Jones (R-NC) and Ron Paul (R-TX), to “clarify that nothing in the bill shall be construed as authorizing the use of force against Iran.” We understand that House Armed Services Chairman Howard McKeon (R-CA) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) have agreed to include this amendment as part of a group of amendments to be adopted “en bloc” this evening.

We commend them for this wise and responsible action and look forward to seeing the amendment adopted.

In addition, APN strongly supports the amendment offered by Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and John Conyers (D-MI), to “appoint a Special Envoy for Iran to ensure that all diplomatic avenues are pursued to avoid a war with Iran and to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

As we have noted previously, there is no question that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a serious threat to Israel and U.S. national security interests. Addressing this threat requires a sober, rational approach, and the appointment of a special envoy to focus solely and full-time on this issue is an important and long-overdue element of such an approach. We urge the House to adopt this constructive, timely, and commonsense amendment.

APN, a Jewish, Zionist organization dedicated to enhancing Israel's security through peace, has for years been urging Washington to address Iran's nuclear quest rationally and responsibly.