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98 Prominent Jewish Leaders, Hollywood Heavyweights Sign Letter Of Support For Iran Nuclear Deal

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — While high-profile congressmen Brad Sherman and Chuck Schumer, two ranking Democrats, say they oppose the Iran nuclear deal, a group of 98 prominent Jewish leaders, rabbis and Hollywood heavy-hitters signed a full-page ad in support of the deal.

CBS2's Rebecca Ferriter talked to a leading rabbi who signed the ad that will run in Thursday's LA's Jewish Journal.

Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels leads the Beth Shir Shalom Temple in Santa Monica.

The rabbi told Ferriter he signed the letter because he believes the agreement would provide the International Atomic Energy Agency a lot more access and information regarding Iran's nuclear program.

The ad is an open letter to Congress imploring them to sign the deal from "American Jewish Supporters Of Israel."

"I think that's ultimately, that kind of transparency can only be better for Israel," the rabbi said.

Ferriter reported other prominent signatures include legendary TV producer Norman Lear ("All in the Family," "Sanford and Son," "Maude," "The Jeffersons," "Good Times," "Mary Hartman," "One Day at A Time,"), architect Frank Gehry and billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad.

"I was happy to sign it, joining with some of these other people and I don't think that they signed it because of their money," the rabbi said. "They signed it because of their deep seated feelings, that because people know their name they can have a voice."

The letter reads in part:

"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."

But critics including Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu say it's the deal itself that's a tragic mistake saying it gives Iran a sure path to nuclear weapons in the long run.

"People certainly have the right to disagree, they certainly have a right not to listen, they certainly have a right to talk to their Congress people the same way that I do," Comess-Daniels said.

A recent CBS News poll shows 53 percent of people feel the agreement will not be effective in preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

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