Israel Wants Bigger Nuclear Arsenal

Netanyahu Adviser Hints at Need for Even Bigger Nuclear Arsenal

Cites Iranian Nuclear Program, Says Israel Must Make Sure They Won't Survive

By Jason Ditz,
July 09, 2009
Courtesy Of Anti-War News

Uzi Arad, the National Security Adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today rose the spectre of the nation’s mutually assured destruction doctrine, and said that Israel would need to dramatically strengthen its arsenal to ensure that the nation has the ability to totally destroy Iran in case they decide to attack.

Uzi Arad

Arad insisted that Israel must “become tremendously powerful, and create a situation in which no one will dare to realize the ability to harm us.” The Israeli government has a significant undeclared nuclear arsenal which it occasionally accidentally admits to.

Iran, by contrast, is a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has no nuclear arsenal, and though it has a growing civilian nuclear program aimed at energy generation, officials concede that there is no evidence they are attempted to produce any nuclear weapons.

Widely regarded as Netanyahu’s most trusted adviser, the hawkish Arad has been an outspoken opponent of Palestinian statehood and has called for measures to reduce their numbers through “family planning” initiatives. Despite his pretense at seeking to shore up Israel’s retaliatory capabilities, Arad has also been a long-time advocate of attacking Iran.