New York, NY, November 24, 2014 … In response to the announcement that negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran will be extended for an additional seven months, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today voiced concern the extension will “reward Iran’s delaying tactics” and called for the establishment of a definitive expiration date to the diplomatic process.
Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director issued the following statement:
We are concerned this extension, now for another seven months, will lead to the interim arrangements of November 2013 becoming the new, long-term status quo and keep alive the threat of Iran developing nuclear weapons. It also serves to reward Iran’s delaying tactics with the ongoing release of previously restricted assets.
As the world powers continue to engage with Iran to resolve the nuclear issue, there is a risk that the ongoing talks will give legitimacy to Iran despite its extremist policies, sponsorship of terrorist organizations and ongoing gross violations of human rights.
We appreciate the good-faith efforts of the world powers to negotiate an end to the Iranian nuclear weapons program and continue to believe that a diplomatic settlement is the best solution for all parties.
However, there must be an expiration date to this diplomatic process. Iran must understand that failure to reach an agreement will lead to further crippling sanctions against it, not to further extensions and negotiations.