B’nai B’rith President Robert Spitzer and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith remains justifiably skeptical that Iran—the largest and most active state sponsor of terror around the world—will adhere to any of the provisions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 17 between the United States and Iran.

Any chance for the agreement to succeed hinges on stringent verification that Tehran is following the terms. Anything short of that would invite the Iranians to exploit this agreement to their own nefarious strategic advantage.

We cannot ever forget Iran’s penchant for dissembling and obfuscation of international inspections, which certainly suggests difficulty ahead.

The regime in Tehran has spent decades deceiving the world about its nuclear program and about its global proxy terror attacks. It has also spent this nearly half-century proclaiming, “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” With history as our guide, we know any agreement with Iran must be actively and intensely monitored.

And where in this agreement are Israel’s vital security interests protected? We are concerned the 60 days of negotiations outlined in this initial agreement will merely serve to embolden Iran to re-arm and plan new attacks via its Hezbollah proxy against Israel.

Israel must always have the right to defend itself. Full stop.