Israeli Nuclear Arsenal a Mystery to UN Watchdog

[Herschel]

The extent of Israel's atomic weapons program is a mystery to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the agency's chief said in an interview broadcast on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately I can't give a precise opinion about it because we don't do any inspections in Israel," Mohamed ElBaradei told Al Arabiya television when asked about the size of Israel's nuclear weapons program.

"I know that it's a developed program, and Israel does not deny that it has nuclear capability, but the size of the program, the extent of its development, really I can't know."

Non-proliferation analysts estimate Israel has anywhere from 100 to 200 atomic weapons, but the country has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and does not confirm or deny having nuclear weapons.

cut

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=4438275

Reassuring to know Israel can defend herself and be an effective overseer of the region for America. Better the extent of her arsenal be unknown to her enemies.

[Darranar]

1. "Overseer of the region"?

[Herschel]

2. Indeed

A powerful presence we can rely on. Be glad.

[Darranar]

3. I don't think any "overseers" are necessary...

the various US-sponsored dictatorships there have not had a very good effect on the region or its people, to say the least.

A tool of US imperialism in the region should be condemned, not hailed.

[Herschel]

4. Israel is a reliable ally

Not a tool of imperialism.

[rooboy]

5. If you think that the Bush regime...

really loves the jewish people or has any reverence for Israel, I've got a bridge to sell you. The reliability of an ally is dependent on the quality of leadership at the time.

[Darranar]

6. If it is an "overseer for America", it is a tool of imperialism...

what business does the USA have to be "overseeing" the region?

[Herschel]

7. America and Israel have interests

And stand side by side in policing a troubled area. The world owes gratitude.

[Darranar]

9. Yes, they do have interests...

their interests and the interests of the people of the region are rather different.

[Herschel]

14. Perhaps at times they are

Yet Israel will stand with us to help insure ours and theirs.

[Darranar]

23. They are against the will of the people there...

and also not beneficial to their welfare.

The pursuit of such interests is imperialistic.

[beanball]

12. Little Israel&Big America

the brat and his bully buddy.

[Resistance]

13. who wants to play

blow up big buildings and blame the Arabs?

:think:

[JohnLocke]

40. What the...?

[ex_jew]

8. Pharaoh needs overseers !

You could look it up.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[number6]

41. Emperor Bush appreciates it too...

;) Heil Bushler

[drewb]

11. Taking it off here boss...

Still shaking it boss, still shaking it boss...


If only I had a talent for political cartoons... LOL...

So many ideas, so little talent...

:loveya:

[Forkboy]

15. Stop biting on his remarks Darranar

It's not worth it.The mods have decided he's a worthwhile member of DU.

Be glad :puke:

[Herschel]

16. Begging your pardon

Regarding this conflict, some of us are leftist while others are pragmatic. Yet, as fellow progressives, we are all worthwhile members.

[Resistance]

17. You're the best Hersch.

"fellow progressives"

LMAO!! :thumbsup:

[Jim Sagle]

25. As Red Skelton used to say, "Mah friends..for yo ARE mah friends..."

[Forkboy]

18. It takes more than saying it

[Herschel]

19. You two

Save your laughter and implications. Progressives of all types all welcome here.

[Resistance]

20. LMAO

omg I about spit out my coffee on that one! :D

[Forkboy]

21. Whose laughing?

I find it sick.

[Resistance]

22. I'm laughing

these posts are absolutely hilarious.

:D

[Darranar]

26. Generally...

those that want us to 'progress' to a militaristic feudal state ruled by corporate fascism aren't.

Of course, the way things are now we may not have far to go.

[dudeness]

24. I can't believe my fucken eyes..

Reassuring to know Israel can defend herself and be an effective overseer of the region for America. Better the extent of her arsenal be unknown to her enemies.

I sit in amazement ????

[Resistance]

27. we're all progressives here dudeness

take it easy, maybe have a donut

:donut:

Herschel just loves his little Israel that's all.

[dudeness]

28. thanks I might need a prozac with my caffeine

:)

[Herschel]

29. Surely you will agree

we want Israel to be capable of defending herself. She is indeed a staunch ally. The less our enemies know of Israel's arsenal, the better for the American-Israeli alliance.

[Darranar]

30. Who would you consider "our enemies"?

[Herschel]

34. This is ever changing, of course

America will make alliances with different states at different times. Yet, ours is a friendship with Israel, not an alliance.

[Darranar]

37. No, it is an alliance...

if Israel decided to put the interests of the people of the region above those of the US, the alliance would end.

I agree that the enemies and allies of the US are ever-changing.

[Herschel]

38. We will disagree

Misguided leftists argue America would do well to abandon her staunch support of Israel, yet she does not relent.

[Darranar]

39. Many leftists also call for an end to support for Mubarak...

the US does not listen.

So, are Egypt and the US now close friends as well?

[Forkboy]

42. Listen you

Little Egypt is staunch ally.Be glad!

[dudeness]

32. yes i do agree israel must defend herself

however, a peaceful M/E will depend upon a successful resolution to the I/P situation ..i am firmly in the camp of those who believe that israel as an embodiment of US imperialism is not the solution to this immense problem..hence, i would suggest that continual aggression from both sides only aggravates a volatile condition..israel is unchallenged as a military and economic superpower in the region, so it should therefore use that position as a benevolent benefactor of a independent palestinian state and secure the safety of her citizens in the process

[Herschel]

33. Israel lies in a sea of enemies

Israel would not benefit from a hostile Palestinian state at her door. The Palestinian situation will begin to be resolved when the back of Palestinian resistance is broken and protests are done in an acceptable manner. Further, Palestinians must realize the shortcomings of their bargaining position, as they are facing the region's greatest power with no military of their own, and she is backed by the world's only superpower. The countries supporting the Palestinians are no match for the Israeli-American alliance. The Green Line as a border, the right of return, and a Palestinian military are fantasies.

Until these fantasies are allowed to pass, Palestinians will suffer. I will leave it at that.

[lefty_mcduff]

35. Wow, Herschel, you just explained the ME crisis.

"Palestinians must realize the shortcomings of their bargaining position, as they are facing the region's greatest power with no military of their own, and she is backed by the world's only superpower."

Perfecto.

[Herschel]

36. Appreciated

-

[dArKeR]

31. Fair and Balanced

[Comadreja]

43. Nuclear power, Knesset power

"Hitler's legal power was based upon the 'Enabling Act', which was passed quite legally by the Reichstag and which allowed the Fuehrer and his representatives, in plain language, to be what they wanted, or in legal language, to issue regulations having the force of law. Exactly the same type of act was passed by the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) immediately after the 1967 conquest granting the Israeli governor and his representatives the power of Hitler, which they use in Hitlerian manner." Dr. Israel Shahak, Chairperson of the Israeli League for Human and Civil Rights, and a survivor of the Bergen Belsen concentration camp, Commenting on the Israeli military's Emergency Regulations following the 1967 War. Palestine, vol. 12, December 1983.