100 Top Hollywood Jews Back Iran Deal

By JTA August 14, 2015

Nearly 100 prominent Los Angeles Jews, many with close ties to the Hollywood entertainment industry, have affirmed their strong support for the Iran nuclear deal.

In a full-page ad in the Aug. 14 edition of the weekly Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, 98 signatories, identifying themselves as “American Jewish supporters of Israel,” declared, “We are united in saying that the negotiated deal on balance is good, that any available alternatives are worse, and that Congress killing the deal would be a tragic mistake.”

Among the lead signatories are renowned TV producer-writer Norman Lear, movie producers Mike Medavoy and Lawrence Bender, famed architect Frank Gehry and billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad.

Other signatories include “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner, “Game of Thrones” executive producer Carolyn Strauss, television director Daniel Attias, and agents Peter Benedek and Rick Rosen.

Also included are numerous rabbis, academicians and civic activists, many associated with the Israel peace movement and liberal causes.

Indicative of the interest and split opinions on the topic, the same issue of the Jewish Journal features six lengthy opinion articles on the subject, plus a cover story surveying the attitudes of the local Iranian-Jewish community.

Two of the Op-Eds continue a long-running debate on the deal between Rob Eshman, The Journal’s publisher and editor-in-chief (for), and David Suissa, president of TRIBE Media Corp./Jewish Journal (against).

The agreement reached last month between Iran and six world powers led by the United States provides economic sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program.

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