Gary Rosenblatt’s column, “Fault Lines Widen As Iran Deal Debate Intensifies” (July 24) noted that “the majority of American Jews appear to support” the Iran deal. As evidence, you cited a J Street poll claiming that 59 percent of American Jews “are in favor” of the deal. In fact, that poll was taken at the beginning of June, six weeks before the agreement was reached.
Moreover, the poll framed its main question in a misleading way. It asked American Jews if, in theory, they would support a deal that “would ease some of [the] economic sanctions” if Iran would “accept major restrictions on its nuclear program” and “submit to greater international inspection of its nuclear facilities.” This was a fantasy deal, with no connection to what was actually agreed upon: the West would have to end only “some” (not all) of the sanctions, and Iran would have to accept “major restrictions” and “greater international inspection.” That doesn’t sound too bad —but that’s not what the final agreement actually consists of.
One wonders what the results would be if a poll were taken now — after the public has had a chance to hear critical analysis of the agreement — and if the question explained what the terms actually involve: complete ending of all sanctions; a 24-day delay in inspections if Iran objects; freedom for Iran to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles and similar weapons; no dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure; no disclosure of Iran’s past nuclear efforts; and no requirement that Iran stop supporting Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist groups.
Chairman, Philadelphia Religious Zionists
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