nuclear-news

Israeli govt out of step with citizens on nuclear policy

Israelis Willing To Renounce Nuclear Weapons For Mideast Nuclear Free Zone –   The Eurasia Review,  by: Richard Silverstein January 17, 2012 Shibley Telhami recently released th eextraordinary results of a recent poll (seefull results) of Israeli public opinion about its country’s nuclear program and Iran’s.  The answers to the poll’s questions showed rather amazing level of pragmatism regarding Israeli attitudes on the subject:

1. Israelis were almost equally divided on the issue of whether Israel should attack Iran, 43% favored a strike and 41% opposed.

2. 68% believe Iran will eventually develop nuclear weapons.  This statistic isn’t surprising.  But given this number the results of the following questions are.

3. 65% believe it is better for neither Israel NOR Iran to have nuclear weapons.

4. 60% favor inspections of all nuclear facilities in the region (including Israel’s) in preparation for a nuclear free zone.

5. 63% would favor all nations in the region (including their own) renouncing nuclear weapons in the context of creating a nuclear free zone.

6. 64% favor the creation of a Mideast nuclear free zone.

A separate poll released by Haaretz indicates that nearly 60% of Israelis believe that an attack on Iran will lead to a regional war involving Hezbollah and Hamas…….

Telhami’s poll also indicates just how out of sync the Israeli political leadership is with the body politic on this issue.  Even before Israel attacks Iran, almost half the population thinks it would be a bad idea.  In my experience, the leadership of a country that goes into a war with the citizens already divided on its efficacy is potentially in big trouble…….

Israel’s nuclear program is a huge irritant in the overall scheme of Israeli-Arab relations.  It is one of the reasons (though not the only one) Iran is pursuing a nuclear program (whether or not its pursuing a nuclear weapon is undetermined).  It is one of the greatest hypocrisies of Israel’s own claim of “existential threat” post by that country for having the chutzpah to want what Israel has in such great numbers. http://www.eurasiareview.com/17012012-israelis-willing-to-renounce-nuclear-weapons-for-mideast-nuclear-free-zone-oped/

January 18, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Israel, politics