Wednesday, 01 October 2008
An initiative by Iran and Arab League member states to put the Israeli regime's nuclear activities under scrutiny has irked Tel Aviv.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreed on Monday to put the issue of "Israel's nuclear capabilities" on the agenda of the UN body's annual meeting upon a request by Iran and several other countries including the Arab states.
Based on the initiative, the IAEA would pass a resolution calling for a nuclear weapon free Middle East.
Israel is believed to have the only nuclear arsenal in the Middle East although the regime has not officially admitted it.
In reaction to the decision, Israel filed a motion on Monday to remove the issue from the IAEA's agenda. It also termed the move as inconsistent and "substantially unwarranted and flawed",
The Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday."Among sponsors of this draft resolution are states which openly do not recognize Israel and even call for its annihilation," Israel's Atomic Energy Commission Director Shaul Chorev said in reference to Iran.
"What is the moral standing of sponsors of this agenda item who do not recognize Israel's right to exist while criticizing Israeli policies aiming at securing its very existence?†he asked.
Iranian envoy Ali Asghar Soltanieh has condemned the "shameful silence" of Israel's Western allies about its nuclear exclusivity.
The US and Israel are accusing Iran of developing nuclear arms, but in its recent report, the UN nuclear watchdog said there has been no evidence of weaponization in Iran's nuclear activities.
