Israel and the Bomb

The king called up his jet fighters
He said you better earn your pay
Drop your bombs between the minarets
Down the Casbah way
-----Rock the Casbah, The Clash

Israel is thinking about peace deals with its declaration of supporting a "Nuclear Free Zone" in the Middle East. It's not a coincidence that things are coming to a head with Iran at about this time. Israel cannot stop the development of Iran's nuclear projects, and neither can the US at this point. Both have been demonized in the world press and both would suffer if even one of the pair decided to act. Britain is playing nice with Iran even after its soldiers are taken hostage, and will not back up the US. Meanwhile, Iran's cowardly assassins, Hizbollah are still sitting on its borders waiting for the nuke delivery, circa 2006.

This might be a shrewd move on Sharon's part. He knows with conventional weapons he can destroy any ME opponent, and the nuke is simply a deterrant against Syria and Iran from attacking. The problem is that Iran will probably go ahead and bomb Israel regardless. Iran will become a nation of martyrs, or should I say, the leadership is, and the people of Iran the unfortunate victims of statist logic.

Israel Links a Nuclear-Free Zone to Regional Peace
By GREG MYRE

Published: July 8, 2004


ERUSALEM, July 8 — For a country that resists talking about its nuclear capabilities, this week has been a virtual gabfest. Israel has hosted the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, launched a Web site on its atomic program and briefed reporters on its nuclear policies.

But as Mohamed ElBaradei, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, wrapped up a visit today, Israel said it remained committed to its longstanding policy of "strategic ambiguity" and would not confirm or deny the almost universal belief that it possesses nuclear weapons.

By all accounts, Mr. ElBaradei's discussions with senior Israeli officials were cordial, including a session today with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.