The right to Dimona

The "international community" did not consent to Israeli development of nuclear weapons (unless one's definition is narrowly contained to "France and South Africa"). The USG sought repeatedly to ascertain Israel's intentions with Dimona, culminating in 1961 with an official scientific inspection of the facility by US representatives, which Ben-Gurion approved only due to warnings that US support for Israel was weakening based on its suspicions. Israel responded by mounting an extremely effective, and extremely expensive, concealment operation at Machon 2, concealing the weapons research areas with hastily-installed concrete walls. The scientists reported to the USG that the facility was for peaceful purposes only, and US foreign policy proceeded on that basis. However, suspicions were never fully quelled, and by 1964 the LBJ administration, which had information from the US military suggesting Israel was purchasing French ballistic missile technology, was considering linking military aid to Israel to a pledge not to develop nuclear weapons. For Israel, of course, there was no question of turning back, even in the face of American anger. The formulation devised by Shimon Peres, and made famous by Levi Eshkol -- effectively, that Israel would develop nuclear weapons but pledged not to announce their existence -- became a fait accompli, and by the time the US was certain of Israel's nuclear stockpile, Nixon and Kissinger were not inclined to pursue the point for anti-Soviet geostrategic reasons. Now, all this is quite separate from the question as to whether Israel's nuclear capability has stabilized the region, or if absent such a stockpile Israel would have faced a genuinely existential threat from its neighbors. There is a reasonable argument there, though one may also reasonably disagree with it. But there is no question that Israel pursued its nuclear ambitions in secret, through deception, and against the policy, wishes, and national interest of the United States of America.

Ibrahim your Moslem view of Israel being the instigator of all war in the ME is laughable. I guess the 1948 was the first war started by Israel because it declared independence? Your name Ibrahim for the Moslems; Abraham for the Israeli’s is the father of both Arab and Israeli. Why do you bear false witness against your brother?

First I would like to say Dimona existed 12 years prior to the NPT, are you pushing retroactive application on Israel who didn’t sign the NPT. Then let the truth be known. The UN has no authority to impose on any nation their views and when you look at who is pushing for this show down it is the Islamic members of the GA. Remember 118 nations make up the non-aligned nations at the UNGA and of those 118; 57 are Islamic; that’s 48.3% of the vote from the very start. This drive against Israel is going to backfire on the UN, US, Russia; and Europe. Also focus on the Iran/Russia link; Iran at this time in its nuclear program can only produce 20% enriched Uranium, which cannot be used as weapons grade U238. So is this so-called crisis a conspiracy between US/Iran and the other members of the quartet to reveal Israel’s supposed nuclear weapons? There are to many coincidences at this juncture.

The end of the world. Alien attacks. Terrorist plans to block the sun. The Y2K bug. The spread of the super virus that will end all humanity (you know the one). And probably all other things that have not happened... Does you ever deal in facts, Ari Shavit? All your articles seem to be based on self-delusions. And by the way, when the "old and moral" international community told you that it approved of Israel's nuclear weapons, did it happen to mention why Israel didn't sign the NPT?

History shows that Israel is quite an agressive country. Yes it was attacked once but that was after occupying the Sinai for a second time. Moreover the current government is already dangerous enough let alone future religious right governments. The worrld would be a better place without Israeli atomic bombs.

When you look at the Manhattan project or the project in the Soviet Union the majority of the scientist who lead the project were Jews and as Israel IS the Jewish state it seems fitting that if ANYONE had nukes it makes sense it would be the people who understand how they work and invented them. Makes sense does it not?

Israel will have a right to Dimona if and when it gives up the settlements on the west bank. Otherwise it is just an expanding military colonial power seizing Arab land and using the nuclear threat to stop any armed resistance to "Greater Israel."

Can everyone who's so scared of Israel's so-called threats against its neighbors take a look at a map from time to time? Take a highliter and color in all the Arab/Muslim countries that are or once have been hostile to Israel's very existence. Don't forget any of them, from Morocco to Malaysia. Then take another color pen and mark Israel (if you can find it). Picture becoming clearer? Think about how 7.5 million Israelis feel existentially when they have been threatened with destruction by hundreds of millions of their "neighbors" whose armies far outnumber Israel's. Think about what would happen if those "neighbors" made a concerted effort to carry through on their promise to wipe Israel off the map, even if they failed. A nuclear Israel is what fends off that danger. Nukes in the hands of nihilistic/suicidal Iran would mean mutual destruction, not mutual deterrence.

Israel already benefits from this relationship... Yet does not fully support the IAEA by joining the NPT

Jews were persecuted by Europe and not by Arabs. That's why Jews (who participated with Muslims in the initial conquest of Spain) expelled from Spain settled in Turkey and Arab lands and not in Europe. Arab enmity towards Jews developed only after Zionists decided to create a Jewish state in Palestine and especially after Zionists ethnically cleansed more than 700,000 Palestinians in 48-49 (the slow ethnic cleansings of Palestinians continues to this day). Nobody lifted a finger to save Jews in WW2? Suggest you read "The Myth of Rescue" by William D. Rubinstein. Israel's policy on Dimona was responsible? Given the interference/oppression of Iran in the 19th and 20th century by the Russians, British and Americans so is Iran's desire to develop nuclear energy. Iran claims that it wants to develop nuclear energy for peaceful reasons? So did Israel, India and Pakistan.

The only true part of this article is admission that Israel feels that , "the Jewish people, who had a unique right to enjoy reverse discrimination." The idea that Jews are special so Israel doesn't have to follow international law or basic morality or even common decency is the root of the middle east problem today. Israel has tested its nuclear weapons in combination with apartheid South Africa. Israel has proliferated through its connection to the apartheid South Africa regime. Israel did go on nuclear alert and prepare to use nuclear weapons in 1973. Israel did acquire its nuclear capability through lies, cheating and stealing. Israel with its clear intent to use nuclear weapons when it deems it necessary is the greatest threat to proliferation in the world today. And Israel has absolutely no right to be heard on any nuclear issue until it owns up and signs the NPT and joins the civilized world.

Dimona has not stabilized the region - it has made the threat of war less likely but the need by other states to get nuclear bombs a necessary. Hence, Israel will not make peace with the Palestinians or its neighbors because it feels that it does not NEED to - once Israel is surrounded by nuclear states with a constant threat of war and a catastrophe waiting to happen as a result THEN Israel will make the necessary sacrifices. At this point in time it does not need to, so it doesn't - although Israel having nukes has lessen the chances of an all our arab /Israeli war it has also lessen the chances of an end to the Palestinian conflict. Iran introducing nukes to the region, and Egypt and Saudi Arabia to follow will be the final piece needed to bring real peace to the region. One state with nukes breeds arrogance, multiple states creates a stalemate and mutual respect.

I couldn't disagree more with Ari Shavit. Israelis and pro-israeli people need to understand that the lessons of the Holocaust are, for there not to be another genocidePERIOD. The lesson is not that because jews were prosecuted for thousands of years, now they have the right to do whatever that is in their interest and remotely improves their security. Should Woman be positively discriminated and allowed to carry weapons at all times, just because they were discriminated and still are for centuries? that is not how justice works. The Holocaust can never be reversed.

Why dont speak about Vanunu? He is another time to be in prison, from the time he have not any secret, he made his time, why do israeli authorities continue to harass him?

Israel has no more right to posses nukes than Iran, Egypt, Jordan or Syria. The notion that Dimona is stabilizing factor is nonsense, moreover we all know Israel did threat to use its nukes in 73 and also have aimed Russian strategic target via its Jericho Missiles. Dimona actually posses a threat to Israeli citizens more than any others since it is an old, leaking and unsafe. Even the scientists who built it say its needs to be shut down ASAP.

It's land both were built before they were illegal to be built in such a way USA was built b4 GCIV and USA doesn't owe aboriginals retroactive rights if gciv dimina was built b4 NPT, and for same reason intl community can f off in this respect and go bother India and Pakistan who built and tested after npt and who are much greater threats, especially Pakistan to nuclear proliferation to terrorists than israel simple, you don't need a whole article of bleeding heart bs, you just need a reasonabe mind

Israel has provoked and started more wars in the middle east than any other country in the region. Let's deal in facts, not in Israeli romantic mythology. It's true, though, Israel has not used nuclear weapons, but noone knows when or if they ever will...hence, instability.

the world never was moral. Israel did not ask anybody for permission to build an atomic bomb. The world would not have permitted it if asked. They did not care for the murdered Jews. The UN declared in this time: Zionism is racism. Today it is Iran which does not ask anybody for permission. That is the problem: The world has to be afraid of Iran's nukes and the aggressive mullah regime. And that is the reason why Israel's nukes are brought up. Nothing else, Shavit. Deal with it. Everything else is rubbish.

There is nothing wrong with the arabs or even Iran having nuclear power as long as it is legitimately for peaceful purposes. Saddam Hussains reactor was there for the sole purpose of enriching the uranium he needed to make a nuclear weapon. Dimona was built with the intent to build a bomb and France who supplied it were under no illusions that Israel wanted it for nukes. The two countries even discreatly cooperated on nuclear weapons development because they were both developing their programs at the time and France was probably Israels best friend at that time it wasn't until the 70s the relationship with the US started developing. Israel like India & Pakistan has legally chosen not to sign the NPT meaning its nukes are legal and Irans are not. Its not about whats fair its about whats legal, the Shah chose to waiver Irans rights to nukes when he signed the NPT. Nuclear weapons are also not toys so the idea that if Israel has them so should Iran or Iraq because its only fair ... we do that when we are dealing with children who are arguing over toys not with nuclear weapons. Israel has no problems with other states in the region developing a nuclear energy program and would not go around bombing every nuclear reactor in the region just when its in the hands of an enemy and we know for certain this enemy wants a nuclear reactor for developing weapons.

Rehabilitate Vanunu, declare Jericho rockets, join international nuklear talks. Only then, Israel is worthtrusty.

yes, but has no right to nuclear bomb

Take out a map, and look at Iran. Look at the countries surrounding Iran. Iraq and Afghanistan has significant numbers of American troops stationed in them. Almost all Gulf countries have American bases with troops. Keep in mind that America is hostile to the Iranian regime. In their position, what is the most logical thing to do, to ensure your survival? Ask Israel, ask North Korea. Makes sense?

Is the Israeli hysteria re probable Iranian nuclear weapons based on a fear that Iran will bomb Israel as soon as it can (and so submit itself to instant annihalation; or that Iran then has a deterrent from massive attack from Israel? I suspect Israle is trying to talk up the offensive fear; but it knows that Iran's intentions in fact are defensive. Who wouldn't with Israel's record in the region, and its aggressive stance to Iran. The best solution is to commit to dismantling Israeli nukes, and subject them to inspection; and insist that Iran has the same position. Anything else is hypocrisy in the extreme. If you want to keep yours, accept that Iran will also produce them; and the world would have no moral or moralistic argument against them.

Is the Israeli hysteria re probable Iranian nuclear weapons based on a fear that Iran will bomb Israel as soon as it can (and so submit itself to instant annihalation; or that Iran then has a deterrent from massive attack from Israel? I suspect Israle is trying to talk up the offensive fear; but it knows that Iran's intentions in fact are defensive. Who wouldn't with Israel's record in the region, and its aggressive stance to Iran. The best solution is to commit to dismantling Israeli nukes, and subject them to inspection; and insist that Iran has the same position. Anything else is hypocrisy in the extreme. If you want to keep yours, accept that Iran will also produce them; and the world would have no moral or moralistic argument against them.

so does Iran have right to nuclear plant. Unless the ME becomes nuclear free every country would establish one. Again with verbal threat from USA and Israel to attack Iran, then they must build atomic bombs as deterrent from aatck, like Israel did.

It is the last bastion of freedom for all in the ME and of course, all free people everywhere.

have been quiet? are we talking about the same 'middle east'? and nukes are no good against Hamas, and hezbollah, who just happen to be Israel's main enemies. Being the largest best equipped and trained military in the area isn't enough? That has been the detterent, not nukes. I hope for a nuke free world and especially a nuke free 'middle east' and that includes Persia.

That pretty much sums up Israel's diplomatic problems on all fronts. The last generatuin of politicians grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust and therefore allowed Israel to get away with things they did't allow other Western democracies. Israel was allowed to have secret nukes. Israel was allowed to be ruthless in war. Israel was allowed to keep the Palestinian people captive indefinitely whitle stealing their land. But the Holocaust is rapidly becoming history and this generation of politicians have only read about it in history books. And today's Israel is a regional superpower that bullies its neighbours while refusing to free the Palestinians. Suddenly this generatuon of world politicians wants Israel to keep to the standards of other Western democracies, but Israel doesn't want to. That's the problem.

Unlike the Islamic republic of Iran, who agreed to the NPT, promised the keep the NPT and therefore got assistance.

I Liked the comparison between the second half of the 20th century and 21th century:moral versus moralistic, historic responsibility versus political corectness

there is no doubt that israel has the moral right to defend herself by all means necessary. those who have never grown up and who do not understand this right have forfeited their own right to lead great nations.

Let Israel declare it does have nukes. No problem there. That would be honest. France has them. India and Pakistan have them. The U.S and Russia have them. China has them. Why not Israel? It's so moronic to maintain the ambiguity position. Who are the Israelis fooling? And the specious argument that only the nukes have made Israel save is bullshit.

"territories occupied" Read the peace agreements. Withdraw first, THEN and only then would normal relations resume.

There is nothing wrong with pleading your case for more than everyone else. Where it becomes troubling is when that plea for exceptionalism is turned down. THAT's when it turns ugly, because the self-delusional response is to shout "anti-semite! anti-semite!". It turns that plea for exceptionalism into a RIGHT that is being denied to you. And Israel, so sorry, simply ain't that special, and so it has no RIGHT to demand to be treated differently.

(as far as we know). So how do we know that Israel has nuclear weapons and that they will work?

I would only add another politically incorrect fact: The world doesn't treat Israel or the Jewish people so far, with equal standards than other states and peoples. Thus, as aggravatingly incorrect as it may sound to those who don't see it, it is impossible to ask from Israel exactly the same as from Costa Rica or Denmark.