The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America today states its support for resolutions pending before the U.S. Congress that demand the voluntary disarmament of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and authorize the use of military action to accomplish this goal should Iraq fail to comply with this demand. We applaud President Bush’s leadership and we welcome the growing bipartisan Congressional support for the President’s requests.

As stated in the pending resolutions: “Iraq both poses a continuing threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the Persian Gulf region and remains in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations by, among other things continuing to possess and develop a significant chemical and biological weapons capability, actively seeking a nuclear weapons capability, and supporting and harboring terrorist organizations.”

The current Iraqi regime represents the very sort of threat to world peace that the United Nations was created to deal with. While it is preferable for this threat to be neutralized through diplomacy, should these efforts fail, the United States has every right and obligation under the United Nations Charter and International Law to take firm and appropriate action.