The Arak IR-40 heavy water reactor in Iran. Photo: Nanking2012/Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) President Michael Kassen said Sunday that there will “absolutely be no pause, delay or moratorium” in AIPAC’s lobbying efforts for stronger sanctions on Iran.

The statement contrasts with recent reports that indicated major Jewish organizations would refrain from lobbying Congress for tougher sanctions for two to three months while negotiations with Iran persist, after the White House asked them to do so in a meeting last week.

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) National Director Abraham Foxman said Nov. 2 that Jewish groups would take a “time out” in their lobbying efforts following the White House meeting. But Kassen said, “AIPAC continues to support congressional action to adopt legislation to further strengthen sanctions and there will absolutely be no pause, delay or moratorium in our efforts.”

Christians United For Israel (CUFI), the largest pro-Israel organization in the U.S., will also continue its push for stronger Iran sanctions. The group says it has sent more than 10,000 emails to members of Congress on the issue since last week.

“There will be a political price to be paid by every leader in Congress that stood by, delayed, or dithered while Iran became a nuclear power,” CUFI Executive Director David Brog said, the Washington Free Beacon reported. “If that’s going to be stopped, they need to act now. Otherwise, pay the price.”