President John F. Kennedy confronted the Israeli government on the Dimona facility and nuclear weapons development. Israel maintained that this was for research and development purposes only. But, as discovered indeed it was for the development of a nuclear weapons arsenal. There was a severe rift and contention with then Prime Minister Ben Gurion. Kennedy was concerned that a nuclear arsenal in the mid-east would lead to more dangerous potential results. Had he not been assassinated this objective may have been advanced despite contention.
Russia through its Arms Control Chief recommended that an international conference be organized in 2016 by the United Nations Secretary General addressing the issue of nuclear non-proliferation in the Middle East. It also called for Israel’s accession to the Treaty on Nuclear non-proliferation (NPT). In 2012, the UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution (174-6) calling upon Israel to open its nuclear program for inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency and supporting a high level conference to prohibit nuclear weapons in the Middle East. Despite the conference being slated for mid-December in Helsinki, Finland with the commitment of all the Arab nations and Iran to attend this gathering, the U.S. announced that the conference would not be held due to political turmoil in the region and blaming Iran for its defiant position concerning nonproliferation. However according to news sources, “Iran and some Arab nations countered that the real reason for the conference cancellation was Israel’s refusal to attend.” In addition, a Syrian diplomat commented to the UN Assembly that his government was disappointed due to “the whim of just one party, a party with nuclear warheads.” Reported in December 2012, Israel along with three nuclear weapon states India, Pakistan and North Korea refused to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
The aggressor actions of Israel to attack Iranian nuclear facilities and killing Iranian leaders and scientists with the help of the Mossad should be seen as an act of war. But, the media and political establishment including President Trump are selective when it comes to Israel. Those war acts naturally catalyzed a response from Iran. How does such violence achieve anything? Violence has destroyed Gaza. The US has no business green lighting war strikes if the Trump administration is true to its campaign promise of peace. Unfortunately, once again we have a one sided view and position when it comes to Israel. These latest war actions will only perpetuate more bitterness, hatred, and instability. The nuclear nonproliferation treaty needs to be revisited and implemented across the board. The community of nations needs to serve its people, maximizing peace and liberty.
The US Congress, the Presidency, mainstream media establishment and allies need to stop promoting misinformation or one-sided set of facts and conditions. The American public can only be a true check on government (a government for and by the people) if they seek out the truth on both sides and not just buy into the continual propaganda being put out by the same political actors over and over again.
What is the difficulty of following one simple universal principle called ‘The Golden Rule’ (“Treat every human being as you would want to be treated.”)?
Deborah Smarth