26 sept 2014
A resolution proposed by Arab states expressing concern about Israel's alleged nuclear arsenal was defeated at a meeting of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency
A resolution proposed by 18 Arab member states, expressing concern about Israel's nuclear arsenal was defeated again, on Thursday, at the annual general conference of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
According to AFP, the measure was rejected by 58 votes to 45, with 27 countries abstaining.
Israel is widely reputed to stockpile nuclear weapons, on several accounts, but has never acknowledged the allegations. The state is a member of the IAEA but is not subject to their inspections, save in a small research facility.
The resolution proposal, which has been rejected on previous occasions, expressed "concerns about Israeli nuclear capabilities" and urged Israel to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and place all of its nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision.
Furthermore, in 2009, the same resolution was narrowly approved by IAEA members but was never followed up, AFP reports.
Arab member states accuse Western countries of double standards, in regard to the issue of nuclear weapons, by not demanding Israeli activities be put under IAEA supervision, while at the same time forcing Iran to honour its obligations under the NPT.
Tehran is alleged, by the West, of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Though it denies the claim, Iran and world powers are in talks to reach a comprehensive nuclear deal by November 24.
A resolution proposed by 18 Arab member states, expressing concern about Israel's nuclear arsenal was defeated again, on Thursday, at the annual general conference of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
According to AFP, the measure was rejected by 58 votes to 45, with 27 countries abstaining.
Israel is widely reputed to stockpile nuclear weapons, on several accounts, but has never acknowledged the allegations. The state is a member of the IAEA but is not subject to their inspections, save in a small research facility.
The resolution proposal, which has been rejected on previous occasions, expressed "concerns about Israeli nuclear capabilities" and urged Israel to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and place all of its nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision.
Furthermore, in 2009, the same resolution was narrowly approved by IAEA members but was never followed up, AFP reports.
Arab member states accuse Western countries of double standards, in regard to the issue of nuclear weapons, by not demanding Israeli activities be put under IAEA supervision, while at the same time forcing Iran to honour its obligations under the NPT.
Tehran is alleged, by the West, of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Though it denies the claim, Iran and world powers are in talks to reach a comprehensive nuclear deal by November 24.
10 june 2014
The Israeli government’s refusal to allow whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu, who leaked details of the country’s nuclear arsenal to the international media in 1986, to leave the country for even three days to attend events in the UK next week is entirely unjustified, said Amnesty International.
Last month, Israel’s Interior Minister rejected an application by the former nuclear technician to travel to the UK in June. His lawyers have petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn this decision, as well as to revoke a host of other restrictions against him including an ongoing complete travel ban. The Court is expected to rule on his request to travel to the UK next week.
Mordechai Vanunu is due to attend an event organized by Amnesty International in London on 17 June to promote the protection of whistleblowers including Edward Snowdon and Chelsea Manning. He has also been invited to address the British parliament on 18 June.
“The continued punishment of Mordechai Vanunu for blowing the whistle on Israel’s nuclear arsenal 18 years ago is vindictive and utterly groundless,” said Philip Luther, Director for the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.
A decade after his release from prison Mordechai Vanunu is barred from leaving Israel. He is also banned from entering foreign embassies, or taking part in internet chats and speaking to foreign journalists without prior permission.
Mordechai Vanunu served an 18-year prison sentence for revealing information about Israel’s nuclear arsenal to The Sunday Times in 1986. He spent the first 11 years of his prison term in solitary confinement. The Israeli authorities say he still poses a threat to national security.
Video channel
Last month, Israel’s Interior Minister rejected an application by the former nuclear technician to travel to the UK in June. His lawyers have petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn this decision, as well as to revoke a host of other restrictions against him including an ongoing complete travel ban. The Court is expected to rule on his request to travel to the UK next week.
Mordechai Vanunu is due to attend an event organized by Amnesty International in London on 17 June to promote the protection of whistleblowers including Edward Snowdon and Chelsea Manning. He has also been invited to address the British parliament on 18 June.
“The continued punishment of Mordechai Vanunu for blowing the whistle on Israel’s nuclear arsenal 18 years ago is vindictive and utterly groundless,” said Philip Luther, Director for the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.
A decade after his release from prison Mordechai Vanunu is barred from leaving Israel. He is also banned from entering foreign embassies, or taking part in internet chats and speaking to foreign journalists without prior permission.
Mordechai Vanunu served an 18-year prison sentence for revealing information about Israel’s nuclear arsenal to The Sunday Times in 1986. He spent the first 11 years of his prison term in solitary confinement. The Israeli authorities say he still poses a threat to national security.
Video channel
16 may 2014
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) speaks to the press ahead of a meeting with US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Jerusalem, on May 16, 2014
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Friday that world powers must deny Iran any possibility of developing a nuclear weapon as the search for a deal intensifies.
"I think that, while the talks with Iran are going on, there is one thing that must guide the international community and that is not to let the ayatollahs win," Netanyahu's office quoted him as saying at the beginning of their meeting in Jerusalem.
"We must not allow Iran, the foremost terrorist state of our time, to develop the ability to develop a nuclear weapon," Netanyahu said.
Hagel said that Washington had the same goal.
"I want to assure you prime minister, and the people of Israel, of the United States' continued commitment to assuring Iran does not get a nuclear weapon," he said in video distributed by the US embassy.
"America will do what we must to live up to that commitment," he added.
Although Iran currently has a nuclear energy program that it claims is meant for civilian purposes, Israel is known to have a large stockpile of undeclared nuclear weapons.
The Pentagon chief's visit to Israel came as the United States and other major powers pressed talks with Iran on a long-term agreement to allay international concerns about its nuclear ambitions.
A historic deal reached in November between Iran and the United States following the election of Iranian president Rouhani in June has been hailed by many around the world as a harbinger of better relations between the two power.
Israel, however, has strongly opposed the negotiations with its arch-enemy, and has said repeatedly that it is prepared to launch military action on its against Iran's nuclear facilities if it feels it necessary.
Netanyahu says that the diplomatic opening to the West overseen by President Hassan Rouhani since he took office last August is a charade as real power remains in the hands of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
At a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Thursday, Hagel said the negotiations between the powers and Iran were not open-ended -- the parties are working to a July 20 target for an agreement.
He said Washington was continuing to cooperate closely with its Israeli ally on the Iran issue, even while the negotiations go on.
Hagel is on the last leg of a Middle East tour that also took him to Saudi Arabia, which has its own concerns about the nuclear talks with its regional rival.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Friday that world powers must deny Iran any possibility of developing a nuclear weapon as the search for a deal intensifies.
"I think that, while the talks with Iran are going on, there is one thing that must guide the international community and that is not to let the ayatollahs win," Netanyahu's office quoted him as saying at the beginning of their meeting in Jerusalem.
"We must not allow Iran, the foremost terrorist state of our time, to develop the ability to develop a nuclear weapon," Netanyahu said.
Hagel said that Washington had the same goal.
"I want to assure you prime minister, and the people of Israel, of the United States' continued commitment to assuring Iran does not get a nuclear weapon," he said in video distributed by the US embassy.
"America will do what we must to live up to that commitment," he added.
Although Iran currently has a nuclear energy program that it claims is meant for civilian purposes, Israel is known to have a large stockpile of undeclared nuclear weapons.
The Pentagon chief's visit to Israel came as the United States and other major powers pressed talks with Iran on a long-term agreement to allay international concerns about its nuclear ambitions.
A historic deal reached in November between Iran and the United States following the election of Iranian president Rouhani in June has been hailed by many around the world as a harbinger of better relations between the two power.
Israel, however, has strongly opposed the negotiations with its arch-enemy, and has said repeatedly that it is prepared to launch military action on its against Iran's nuclear facilities if it feels it necessary.
Netanyahu says that the diplomatic opening to the West overseen by President Hassan Rouhani since he took office last August is a charade as real power remains in the hands of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
At a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Thursday, Hagel said the negotiations between the powers and Iran were not open-ended -- the parties are working to a July 20 target for an agreement.
He said Washington was continuing to cooperate closely with its Israeli ally on the Iran issue, even while the negotiations go on.
Hagel is on the last leg of a Middle East tour that also took him to Saudi Arabia, which has its own concerns about the nuclear talks with its regional rival.
12 may 2014
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on May 12, 2014
The prime ministers of Japan and Israel compared notes Monday about living near countries with suspected illicit nuclear weapons programs.
Benjamin Netanyahu, on the second day of a five-day trip to Japan, said the international community should keep up pressure on Iran, which the West suspects of trying to develop atomic bombs.
In a joint statement released with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, the two men also "expressed their strong hope for the early resolution of various issues of concerns regarding North Korea, including its nuclear development".
Speaking at a joint news conference after their meeting, Netanyahu said Abe had told him in no uncertain terms that Japan was facing a very real threat from the North, which observers say is preparing for a fourth nuclear test.
"The same words -- 'clear and present danger' -- certainly apply to the Iranian nuclear program as well," he said.
"Like North Korea before it, Iran wants to keep its military capabilities, military nuclear capabilities while easing the sanctions that are applied to it.
"We cannot let the ayatollahs win," Netanyahu said.
Tehran insists its nuclear program is intended only to generate power for civilian purposes.
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will begin talks in Vienna on Tuesday when they start drafting the text of a comprehensive and potentially historic deal.
An accord would de-fang Iran's atomic program with a drastic reduction in scale. In return, all UN Security Council sanctions and additional unilateral sanctions targeting Iran's lifeblood oil exports would be lifted.
Japan, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil, has maintained friendly relations with Iran through its years of ostracism by the West.
Cyber security
Netanyahu and Abe also "confirmed the necessity of cooperation in the field of cyber-security and... affirmed the importance of bilateral defense cooperation," according to the statement.
"They concurred with the visit of officers of the Japan Self-Defense Forces to Israel."
Abe is pushing for Japan's well-equipped and well-trained military to take a more active role in world affairs, a strategy he has dubbed a "proactive contribution to peace".
Under the current constitution the Japanese military can only fire if fired upon, but Abe would like to expand the scope of their activities to include so-called "collective self-defense."
The issue is controversial in Japan where the post-World War II commitment to pacifism runs deep.
Agreements to carry out officer visits to friendly nations are the kind of baby-steps the Abe administration hopes will eventually lead to greater acceptance of the nation's military, nearly seven decades after its total defeat.
In a brief reference to the moribund Middle East peace process, the joint statement said: "Both sides emphasized the necessity for achieving peace through a 'two-state solution' toward stability and prosperity of the Middle Eastern region."
"Prime Minister Abe called upon all concerned parties to further endeavor to advance the direct negotiations and expressed his intention to make best efforts for achieving peace."
Negotiations collapsed last month after two opposing Palestinian factions buried the hatchet, ending years of bitter rivalry but angering Israel which refuses to talk to the hardline Hamas.
Netanyahu, who is in Japan until Thursday, is expected to meet Japanese business leaders on Tuesday. His trip is expected to be heavily weighted towards hi-tech trade between the two countries.
The prime ministers of Japan and Israel compared notes Monday about living near countries with suspected illicit nuclear weapons programs.
Benjamin Netanyahu, on the second day of a five-day trip to Japan, said the international community should keep up pressure on Iran, which the West suspects of trying to develop atomic bombs.
In a joint statement released with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, the two men also "expressed their strong hope for the early resolution of various issues of concerns regarding North Korea, including its nuclear development".
Speaking at a joint news conference after their meeting, Netanyahu said Abe had told him in no uncertain terms that Japan was facing a very real threat from the North, which observers say is preparing for a fourth nuclear test.
"The same words -- 'clear and present danger' -- certainly apply to the Iranian nuclear program as well," he said.
"Like North Korea before it, Iran wants to keep its military capabilities, military nuclear capabilities while easing the sanctions that are applied to it.
"We cannot let the ayatollahs win," Netanyahu said.
Tehran insists its nuclear program is intended only to generate power for civilian purposes.
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will begin talks in Vienna on Tuesday when they start drafting the text of a comprehensive and potentially historic deal.
An accord would de-fang Iran's atomic program with a drastic reduction in scale. In return, all UN Security Council sanctions and additional unilateral sanctions targeting Iran's lifeblood oil exports would be lifted.
Japan, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil, has maintained friendly relations with Iran through its years of ostracism by the West.
Cyber security
Netanyahu and Abe also "confirmed the necessity of cooperation in the field of cyber-security and... affirmed the importance of bilateral defense cooperation," according to the statement.
"They concurred with the visit of officers of the Japan Self-Defense Forces to Israel."
Abe is pushing for Japan's well-equipped and well-trained military to take a more active role in world affairs, a strategy he has dubbed a "proactive contribution to peace".
Under the current constitution the Japanese military can only fire if fired upon, but Abe would like to expand the scope of their activities to include so-called "collective self-defense."
The issue is controversial in Japan where the post-World War II commitment to pacifism runs deep.
Agreements to carry out officer visits to friendly nations are the kind of baby-steps the Abe administration hopes will eventually lead to greater acceptance of the nation's military, nearly seven decades after its total defeat.
In a brief reference to the moribund Middle East peace process, the joint statement said: "Both sides emphasized the necessity for achieving peace through a 'two-state solution' toward stability and prosperity of the Middle Eastern region."
"Prime Minister Abe called upon all concerned parties to further endeavor to advance the direct negotiations and expressed his intention to make best efforts for achieving peace."
Negotiations collapsed last month after two opposing Palestinian factions buried the hatchet, ending years of bitter rivalry but angering Israel which refuses to talk to the hardline Hamas.
Netanyahu, who is in Japan until Thursday, is expected to meet Japanese business leaders on Tuesday. His trip is expected to be heavily weighted towards hi-tech trade between the two countries.
11 may 2014
Iran will not accept "nuclear apartheid" but is willing to offer more transparency over its atomic activities, President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday ahead of new talks with world powers.
Iran and the P5+1 group of nations will start hammering out a draft accord Tuesday aimed at ending a decade-long stand-off over suspicions that the Islamic republic is concealing military objectives.
"We have nothing to put on the table and offer to them but transparency. That's it. Our nuclear technology is not up for negotiation," Rouhani, referring to the West, said in remarks broadcast on state television.
"Iran will not retreat one step in the field of nuclear technology ... we will not accept nuclear apartheid," he said.
The self-declared moderate president has faced a battle from domestic critics of his diplomatic outreach since taking power last August.
Hardliners accuse Rouhani of making concessions for little gain under talks that have started to reverse the political isolation Iran grappled with under his hardline predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Other skeptics of the nuclear talks, including members of the US Congress, doubt Rouhani's sincerity in seeking a lasting agreement.
The world's leading powers have long suspected that Iran is developing the capability to build an atomic bomb, an allegation Tehran has repeatedly denied.
"We want to tell the world they cannot belittle the Iranian nation; they have to respect it," Rouhani said on Sunday.
Iran has suffered years of economic hardship exacerbated by international sanctions designed to coerce Tehran into curbing its nuclear work.
A potential deal under discussion between Iranian negotiators and counterparts from the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany -- under the P5+1 grouping -- this week will focus on the scope of Iran's nuclear activities.
Such an agreement will aim to render Iran incapable of making any push toward atomic weapons while also removing the sanctions.
The negotiators have a July 20 deadline, set by an interim deal reached in November that put temporary limits on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for modest sanctions relief.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, said Sunday problems such as the sanctions should not be linked to the nuclear talks, the IRNA news agency reported.
"Officials should address the question of sanctions by other means," he added, speaking at an exhibition about Iran's military capabilities organised by the powerful Revolutionary Guards.
He added that Iran will not limit its ballistic missile program as the United States, Israel and some European countries have demanded.
"The US and European countries call for Iran to limit its ballistic program while continually making military threats. Such an expectation is therefore stupid," he said.
Tehran has developed an extensive ballistic missile program, with some weapons capable of hitting targets 1,200 miles away, putting Israel and US regional bases within range.
Iran and the P5+1 group of nations will start hammering out a draft accord Tuesday aimed at ending a decade-long stand-off over suspicions that the Islamic republic is concealing military objectives.
"We have nothing to put on the table and offer to them but transparency. That's it. Our nuclear technology is not up for negotiation," Rouhani, referring to the West, said in remarks broadcast on state television.
"Iran will not retreat one step in the field of nuclear technology ... we will not accept nuclear apartheid," he said.
The self-declared moderate president has faced a battle from domestic critics of his diplomatic outreach since taking power last August.
Hardliners accuse Rouhani of making concessions for little gain under talks that have started to reverse the political isolation Iran grappled with under his hardline predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Other skeptics of the nuclear talks, including members of the US Congress, doubt Rouhani's sincerity in seeking a lasting agreement.
The world's leading powers have long suspected that Iran is developing the capability to build an atomic bomb, an allegation Tehran has repeatedly denied.
"We want to tell the world they cannot belittle the Iranian nation; they have to respect it," Rouhani said on Sunday.
Iran has suffered years of economic hardship exacerbated by international sanctions designed to coerce Tehran into curbing its nuclear work.
A potential deal under discussion between Iranian negotiators and counterparts from the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany -- under the P5+1 grouping -- this week will focus on the scope of Iran's nuclear activities.
Such an agreement will aim to render Iran incapable of making any push toward atomic weapons while also removing the sanctions.
The negotiators have a July 20 deadline, set by an interim deal reached in November that put temporary limits on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for modest sanctions relief.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, said Sunday problems such as the sanctions should not be linked to the nuclear talks, the IRNA news agency reported.
"Officials should address the question of sanctions by other means," he added, speaking at an exhibition about Iran's military capabilities organised by the powerful Revolutionary Guards.
He added that Iran will not limit its ballistic missile program as the United States, Israel and some European countries have demanded.
"The US and European countries call for Iran to limit its ballistic program while continually making military threats. Such an expectation is therefore stupid," he said.
Tehran has developed an extensive ballistic missile program, with some weapons capable of hitting targets 1,200 miles away, putting Israel and US regional bases within range.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) is welcomed at Tokyo's Haneda airport on May 11, 2014
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Tokyo Sunday for a summit with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at which he is expected to raise the Iranian nuclear talks and economic cooperation.
Netanyahu is likely to press Japan to side with Israel over nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers when he meets Abe Monday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun reported.
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will begin their talks in Vienna on Tuesday when they start drafting the text of a comprehensive and potentially historic deal.
In a nutshell, such an accord would reduce the scale of Iran's atomic program so as to render any dash to make nuclear weapons extremely difficult and easily detectable.
In return, all UN Security Council sanctions and additional unilateral sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports would be lifted.
Netanyahu is likely to call on Abe to oppose the lifting of sanctions, reflecting Israel's position that nothing short of a total dismantling of Iran's nuclear program is acceptable, the Asahi said.
Japan, which is heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil, has maintained friendly relations with Iran through its years of ostracism, keeping up a diplomatic dialogue that many developed countries cut off decades ago.
Along with China, India, and South Korea, Japan is among Iran's biggest oil export markets.
The West and Israel have long suspected Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian program, something Tehran denies.
But since President Hassan Rouhani took office in Iran in August, hopes have been raised of an end to the long-running crisis.
A senior Israeli official told AFP in Jerusalem that the two sides would be discussing security issues from both regions.
"As part of the political dialogue, we'll be sharing our concerns about the Iranian nuclear program, they have their own concerns about the North Korean program, I'm sure we have a lot in common," the official said.
Abe and Netanyahu are also expected to agree to strengthen cooperation on countering cyber-attacks, Kyodo News reported, citing a government source.
They are also likely to agree to hold a security dialogue at their level and to increase exchanges between their defense officials, it said.
On the economic front, Netanyahu will likely to give a sales pitch for Israeli technologies as he will meet with Japanese business leaders on Tuesday, local media reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Tokyo Sunday for a summit with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at which he is expected to raise the Iranian nuclear talks and economic cooperation.
Netanyahu is likely to press Japan to side with Israel over nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers when he meets Abe Monday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun reported.
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will begin their talks in Vienna on Tuesday when they start drafting the text of a comprehensive and potentially historic deal.
In a nutshell, such an accord would reduce the scale of Iran's atomic program so as to render any dash to make nuclear weapons extremely difficult and easily detectable.
In return, all UN Security Council sanctions and additional unilateral sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports would be lifted.
Netanyahu is likely to call on Abe to oppose the lifting of sanctions, reflecting Israel's position that nothing short of a total dismantling of Iran's nuclear program is acceptable, the Asahi said.
Japan, which is heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil, has maintained friendly relations with Iran through its years of ostracism, keeping up a diplomatic dialogue that many developed countries cut off decades ago.
Along with China, India, and South Korea, Japan is among Iran's biggest oil export markets.
The West and Israel have long suspected Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian program, something Tehran denies.
But since President Hassan Rouhani took office in Iran in August, hopes have been raised of an end to the long-running crisis.
A senior Israeli official told AFP in Jerusalem that the two sides would be discussing security issues from both regions.
"As part of the political dialogue, we'll be sharing our concerns about the Iranian nuclear program, they have their own concerns about the North Korean program, I'm sure we have a lot in common," the official said.
Abe and Netanyahu are also expected to agree to strengthen cooperation on countering cyber-attacks, Kyodo News reported, citing a government source.
They are also likely to agree to hold a security dialogue at their level and to increase exchanges between their defense officials, it said.
On the economic front, Netanyahu will likely to give a sales pitch for Israeli technologies as he will meet with Japanese business leaders on Tuesday, local media reported.
Page: 2 - 1
