Qatar’s ambassador recently urged for international regulation of Israeli nuclear capabilities during an IAEA meeting, calling for Israel to join the NPT as a non-nuclear state. This unexpected move adds complexity to Gaza peace negotiations and reflects broader regional security concerns regarding Israel’s nuclear arsenal. SIPRI estimates Israel possesses around 90 warheads, and the debate over transparency and disarmament continues to be critical for future peace efforts.
Recently, Qatar’s ambassador to Austria, Jassim Yacoub Al-Hammadi, made an unexpected statement during an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting in Vienna, urging for enhanced international efforts to have Israeli nuclear facilities monitored by the IAEA. Furthermore, he called for Israel’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a non-nuclear state, introducing a significant complexity to ongoing peace talks in Gaza.
This statement caught many by surprise, including the Israeli delegation heading to new discussions in Doha. While Israel has not publicly acknowledged its nuclear arsenal, it is widely known to possess approximately 90 warheads, significantly fewer than Russia and the United States but sufficient to warrant concern from neighboring states, particularly Iran, which currently lacks nuclear capabilities.
The Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI), which has been monitoring global nuclear arsenals since 1966, estimates that Israel’s nuclear warheads could be delivered via various military platforms. Despite the potential threat Israel’s stockpile poses, SIPRI maintains that Israel follows a policy of nuclear ambiguity, refusing to disclose specific details about its nuclear capabilities.
Dan Smith, Director of SIPRI, noted that Israel’s discreet approach to its nuclear arsenal differs from other non-NPT states like India, Pakistan, and North Korea, who have openly declared their nuclear capabilities. Israel insists that it will not be the first to introduce nuclear weapons in the Middle East, a stance that some analysts deem misleading given that its nuclear existence is an open secret.
Ahron Bregman, a senior fellow at King’s College London’s Institute of Middle East Studies, emphasized the impact of Israel’s nuclear policies on regional security, highlighting fears within Israel itself regarding external comment or action on the nuclear issue. He referenced the case of Mordechai Vanunu, an Israeli nuclear technician imprisoned for revealing details of Israel’s nuclear weapons program, underlining the extreme measures taken to maintain secrecy.
Reports indicate that Israel has been modernizing its nuclear arsenal, with SIPRI noting enhancements at its Dimona reactor. Smith posited that Qatar’s recent diplomatic move aims to broaden international scrutiny on Israel’s nuclear capabilities, potentially aligning with regional objectives of establishing a non-nuclear Middle East.
Furthermore, historical incidents have raised concerns regarding Israel’s willingness to resort to nuclear options, notably prior to the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, suggesting a persistent risk of nuclear escalation.
ICAN, an advocacy group focused on nuclear disarmament, applauded Qatar’s initiative, stating that Israel’s nuclear arsenal should undergo international regulation. They highlighted the necessity for nuclear disarmament as fundamental to achieving enduring peace in the region, calling on both Israel and its neighbors to commit to international treaties aimed at nuclear weapon abolition.
The unexpected call from Qatar for intensified efforts to monitor Israeli nuclear facilities marks a significant moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy, particularly within the context of ongoing Gaza peace talks. This initiative reflects broader regional concerns about Israel’s nuclear arsenal and its implications for security in the Middle East. As discussions progress, the potential for greater international scrutiny of Israel’s nuclear capabilities may reshape the geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for disarmament and dialogue among all states in the region to achieve lasting peace.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
