Washington, DC – Following Iran’s retaliatory missile attack on America’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement.
“We’re relieved that there are no reported casualties from these retaliatory strikes. The safety of US service members and all civilians in the region remains our foremost concern. We are hopeful that this counterstrike – reportedly signaled in advance and coordinated with Qatar – draws a line under this exchange of fire.
Now is not a moment for complacency. The potential for further escalation remains high, as does the risk of retaliation which targets Americans and Israelis by other means.
We are particularly concerned about the unknown status of Iran’s nuclear material and equipment following the Israeli and US strikes. There remains a very real risk that these actions drive the Iranian regime to take their program further underground, in a more covert manner, and beyond the reach of inspectors. This is a matter with serious implications for US, Israeli and regional security.
We now face a critical moment, in which the United States should pursue a diplomatic agreement to end this war and block the Iranian regime from being able to develop nuclear weapons. The president should urge Israel to view this initial contained Iranian response as a successful outcome and push for a cessation of hostilities. Short of a dangerous, costly and unpopular war of attrition, an enforceable, verifiable nuclear deal is the only way to put a long-term lock on Iran’s nuclear activity while ensuring this conflict does not spiral further.
We further reiterate our call for Congress to assert and fulfill its constitutional responsibilities by bringing War Powers Resolutions for a vote in both chambers. The American people deserve a voice before we are dragged further into another avoidable, potentially catastrophic war in the Middle East.”