WASHINGTON (AP) — Israel’s ambassador to the United States raced in and out of offices on Capitol Hill, trying to persuade lawmakers that the nuclear deal with Iran is a historic mistake.
On the other side, liberal groups ramped up the pressure, warning of political consequences for Democrats who undermine the agreement and casting opposition as a vote for war.
The lobbying fight is on over the pact that the U.S. and other world powers just signed with Iran. The State Department said Sunday it had submitted the agreement to Congress, kicking off a 60-day review period on Monday.
Multimillion-dollar ad campaigns are underway by politically influential groups in each camp. Some echo the views of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a staunch opponent of the agreement with Iran, which has threatened to annihilate his nation.
Vice President Joe Biden was on Capitol Hill twice last week for arm-twisting sessions with Democrats. Secretary of State John Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz — key U.S. negotiators — are set to brief lawmakers this coming week, and they blanketed the Sunday news shows. “I hope there are enough minds still open, ready to consider this on its merits, that could be persuaded,” Kerry told “Fox News Sunday.”
President Barack Obama used his weekend radio address to try to counter what he predicted would be “a lot of overheated and often dishonest arguments” in the weeks ahead about the agreement, and he sent Defense Secretary Ash Carter to talk with officials in Israel as well as Jordan and Saudi Arabia, U.S. allies whose leaders also are worried about the deal’s implications.
Think tanks are releasing reams of reports and analyses. Experts on nuclear weapons and foreign policy are testifying at committee hearings. Right-wing radio hosts are using the airways to condemn Obama for what they say was his caving in to a country that supports terrorist groups. Peace groups are shouting their support.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., ran into Ambassador Ron Dermer three times.
“He is a very informed and persuasive advocate for the Israeli perspective and he is a persistent and thorough critic of the context of these negotiations and he made some very strong points,” Coons said.
The White House knows that the vote to approve or disapprove the deal, expected in September, puts Democrats, especially Jewish members of Congress, in a bind.
The hawkish American Israel Public Affairs Committee is waging an all-hands-on-deck campaign to convince lawmakers that they should reject the deal. AIPAC and other groups and individuals are supporting Citizens for a Nuclear-Free Iran, which on Friday began a multimillion-dollar national TV and digital ad campaign against the accord.
“Democrats should be especially concerned because the deal increases the chances of war, will spur a nuclear arms race and rewards an Iran with a horrific human rights record,” spokesman Patrick Dorton said.
Netanyahu, asked on CBS’ “Face the Nation” whether he would lobby members of Congress, replied: “I feel it’s my obligation as the prime minister of Israel to speak out against something that endangers the survival of my country, the security of the region, the security of the world. And I obviously make my case.”
New York Rep. Steve Israel, the highest ranking Jewish Democrat in the House, acknowledged the lobbying but played it down, saying that jobs and paychecks, not the Iranian deal, will dominate town hall meetings during Congress’ traditional August recess.
The lawmaker said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement of the deal will be, “very influential.” Add the nod from Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, and “it’s a pretty damn good one-two punch” in favor, he said.
