Jewish leaders welcome ceasefire moves with caution
Jewish leaders in Australia have urged close scrutiny of a reported US-Iran agreement, warning that any deal must prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, curb its support for proxy groups and avoid giving Iran economic relief without firm conditions.
JNS reported that the proposed agreement would extend the ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and start negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
It also reported that Israel had been briefed on the talks and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stressed Israel’s need to maintain freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump (photo: Molly Riley: White House)
The framework has not been fully released, and accounts of its terms remain disputed. JNS cited reports that it would include the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports and an Iranian commitment to negotiate over uranium enrichment, while also noting Iranian claims that the nuclear issue was not part of the preliminary agreement.
Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, said “a credible pathway towards lasting regional peace and security” was a goal shared by all and described the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as “a positive first step for regional stability and the global economy”.
But he said “caution is warranted” until the full details of the agreement are known.
Jeremy Leibler
“The key question is whether this agreement addresses the threats posed by the Iranian regime or simply provides it with time, resources and legitimacy while leaving those threats intact,” Leibler said.
He said the agreement should ultimately be judged not by whether it reduced tensions today but by whether it “dismantles Iran’s nuclear program, curbs its ballistic missile capabilities and ends its support for terrorist proxies”.
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has expressed serious concern about the reported contents of a Memorandum of Understanding expected to be formally signed by the United States and Iran on Friday.
AIJAC said it welcomed any genuine steps that could help end the current violence and tensions in the Middle East, curb Iran’s influence across the region and stop its nuclear program. However, it said reports of significant short-term sanctions relief and financial concessions to Tehran raised serious questions.
The exact terms of the proposed 60-day ceasefire extension agreement have not been made public. AIJAC said the full terms of the Memorandum of Understanding should be released without delay and carefully scrutinised.
AIJAC executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein said:
“This MOU appears to be a ‘deal to make a deal’, a 60-day ceasefire extension designed to facilitate further talks while re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.
“However, reports suggesting the MOU will provides substantial short-term economic benefits for Teheran are concerning.
“Any sanctions relief for Iran must be strictly conditioned on Iran meeting clear, measurable and independently certifiable benchmarks, and be capable of being swiftly reversed in the event of non-compliance.”
“And the talks must also address Iran’s ballistic missile program and require an end to Tehran’s support for terrorist proxy groups that have destabilised the region for decades, as well as the need to prevent Iran from ever producing nuclear weapons – and it is not clear the MOU even puts these issues firmly on the agenda.
Colin Rubenstein
“A durable agreement should also confront the situation in Lebanon, including Hezbollah’s repeated missile and drone attacks against Israel, while reaffirming Israel’s fundamental right to defend itself against the threats posed by Iran and its proxies. We are concerned by reports that the terms of the MOU may have the effect of stalling efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
“These are grounds for very serious concerns. While judgement must be reserved until full details of the MOU are made public, we urge the US government to do so as soon as possible.”
AIJAC’s response reflects longstanding concerns among Australian Jewish and pro-Israel groups about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its ballistic missile program and its support for Hezbollah and other armed groups.
While moves to reduce hostilities have been cautiously welcomed, AIJAC said the test of any agreement would be whether it delivers enforceable limits on Iran’s nuclear and military activities, rather than simply delaying another confrontation.
