Update: The Senate ratified the treaty on December 22, 2010.

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New York, NY, November 19, 2010 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has called on members of the United States Senate to ratify the New START treaty, saying that failure to do so promptly "would inevitably hamper" American leadership to stop the Iranian nuclear weapons program.

In a letter sent today to all members of the Senate, the League urged Senators to put aside reservations about the treaty or its protocol in the interest of the greater goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

We are deeply concerned that failure to ratify the New START treaty will have national security consequences far beyond the subject of the treaty itself.  The U.S. diplomatic strategy to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons requires a U.S.-Russia relationship of trust and cooperation.  The severe damage that could be inflicted on that relationship by failing to ratify the treaty would inevitably hamper effective American international leadership to stop the Iranian nuclear weapons program.

 

The Iranian nuclear threat is the most serious national security issue facing the United States, Israel, and other allies in the Middle East.  While some Senators may have legitimate reservations about the New START treaty or its protocol, we believe the interest of our greater and common goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons must take precedence.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.