Israel viewed as world's sixth nuclear power: analysts

[FarCenter]

AFP - Israel, whose prime minister withdrew Friday from next week's US-hosted nuclear summit, is viewed as the sixth country to have acquired nuclear weapons -- a title it has neither denied nor confirmed.

Analysts at British defence specialists Jane's believe the Jewish state has between 100 and 300 nuclear warheads, putting them among the more advanced nuclear weapons states and roughly on a par with Britain.

The London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) estimates Israel has "up to 200" warheads delivered on land-based short-range Jericho 1 and medium-range Jericho 2 missiles.

<SNIP>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly withdrew Friday from next week's nuclear summit in Washington, underscoring Israeli reluctance to expose its own nuclear programme to scrutiny.

http://www.france24.com/en/20100409-israel-viewed-worlds-sixth-nuclear-power-analysts

[malaise]

1. The more he stays away is the more his nukes will be

analyzed.
I'm betting Netanyahu will be kicked out of office shortly.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Why do you think that Netanyahu will be kicked out of office shortly?

No indication of that in Israel at the momemnt.

Haaretz and other media in Israel publish a much wider variety of views than media elsewhere, and it leads some to conclude falsely about where the sentiment of the majority of Israeli's lies.

[Name removed]

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