Fresh Updates from RAC

Today, we take a moment around the world to commemorate those who have been killed by landmines. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines estimates that landmine explosions caused injury or death to 4,000 to 5,000 people just in 2011 and that millions more suffer from the agricultural, economic, and psychological impacts of the weapon. UNICEF notes that 30 to 40% of landmine victims are younger than 15.

Landmines are used during times of war, and can lie dormant for decades near the surface of the earth until they are triggered by a person or animal. There are between 70 and 80 million landmines in the ground in one-third of the world’s nations and, while landmines cost only $3 each to create, they can cost up to $1000 to remove. Because of this, people can still become casualties of war long after a truce has been secured. Additionally, landmines restrict population movement and land cultivation and keep infrastructure from being repaired.  These problems are amplified in post-conflict and impoverished areas, where landmines are most often found.

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Earlier this week, President Obama met with leaders of 53 other countries at the second Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea. This summit followed the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, during which leaders began a campaign to secure vulnerable nuclear materials by the end of 2014.

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Amid the “loose talk of war” over Iran’s potential nuclear weapons program, Israelis and Iranians have tried to speak out for peace and distance themselves from the rhetoric of their leaders. A public opinion survey conducted in Israel showed that only 19% of Israelis believe Israel should strike Iran’s nuclear facilities without the support of the U.S., and 34% think that Israel should not strike Iran under any circumstances. On Saturday, hundreds of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv (with similar rallies in over 15 cities in England) to protest against the possibility of war with Iran.

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This past weekend, hundreds of rockets were fired by terrorist groups from Gaza Strip into Be’er Sheva, Tel Aviv and Ashdod.

In response to the barrage of violence, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President-elect of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

“We unequivocally condemn the launching of rockets into Israel by terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip. We are deeply saddened by the physical and emotional injuries sustained by those who have been terrorized and wounded by the attacks. We pray for strength for all those affected and their families. Beyond the tragic human toll taken by the attacks, this violation on a sovereign country’s borders and the continued rejection of Israel’s right to exist by its neighbor is outrageous.

“We call on all who oppose violence, no matter where they live, to join in our condemnation of these attacks and make it clear that rockets from Gaza are not the path to peace.”

This past weekend, as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) rolled into town with 13,000 delegates in tow, the entire world seemed abuzz with discussions about the development of an Iranian nuclear weapons program and the roles to be played by Israel and the US in engaging with the Islamic Republic.

AIPAC delegates heard from President Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Republican candidates from the campaign trail, Members of Congress and Israeli officials before they took over Capitol Hill to lobby 530 out of 535 Members of Congress on Tuesday. Their asks in Congressional meetings were: continued sanctions on Iran, legislation to improve the U.S.-Israel partnership in ensuring the latter’s security, and continued foreign aid for Israel in the Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations package.

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As leaders from around the world gather in New York this week to work for global peace, we cannot forget that Saturday marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The United States helped draft the treaty in 1996 and signed it on the first day it was opened for signatures, but the U.S. Senate has not ratified it. Until the United States and nine other key countries ratify the CTBT, it will not be in full force.

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Linda Benesch is a sophomore at American University, interning this semester at the RAC. She is originally from Highland Park, NJ and is a member of Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick.

This morning, President Obama signed into law the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), an agreement with Russia. The treaty replaces the original START treaty, which expired in December of 2009, and reduces the nuclear weapons stockpiles of both countries by over 25% as well as reinstates inspections of nuclear facilities by both parties. President Obama referred to START as “the most significant arms control agreement in nearly two decades.”

New START was ratified by the U.S. Senate in December during the lame duck session of Congress and was approved by the Russian Parliament on January 25th. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed it on January 28th. The treaty will go into effect once the U.S. and Russia exchange documents in Munich, Germany, this weekend.

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Danielle Flaum is a senior at Millburn High School in Millburn, New Jersey and the founder and chair of No Nukes for Iran.

On February 8, 2011, Iranium, a new documentary film addressing the dangers posed by a nuclear Iran to the United States and the international community will be released.

Iranium’s nationwide launch event includes premiere screenings at select AMC Theaters and community centers in over 20 cities nationwide including Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami, Atlanta, San Antonio, Tucson, and Minneapolis.

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