Washington, DC – In response to President Trump’s social media post threatening to destroy the Iranian civilization, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement:
“We are appalled by President Trump’s heinous remarks threatening to destroy a civilization. This language – a threat to carry out war crimes – is a searing violation of Jewish and American values, certainly will not lead to the de-escalation we desperately need and is a terrifying example of the senseless violence that has characterized Trump’s leadership. These remarks once again demonstrate that our President is unfit to lead the United States and we urge Congress and the Cabinet to do everything in their power to restrain and remove him.
President Trump launched this war with no plan, no legal authorization and no imminent threat. Not only has this war cost the lives of innocent civilians across the region, but it is increasingly clear that his war of choice is directly harming American interests. It has triggered a devastating spike in the price of oil and weakened our global position by burning through critical weapons systems that could be necessary in other theaters. It has also made Israel less safe, exposing Israeli families to waves of missile attacks for over five weeks. And it has left our Gulf partners reeling due to strikes on energy and critical infrastructure.
Rather than threatening war crimes that will gravely harm the Iranian people and do nothing to change the Iranian government’s behavior, we urge this Administration to abandon the maximalist proposals that have never worked with Iran’s leadership, and instead pursue realistic diplomatic proposals that would immediately end this war, curb Iran’s nuclear activities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stop attacks on our bases and our allies.”