A deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia allowing the kingdom to build nuclear reactors using American technology and to enrich uranium has fueled fears in Israel of the start of an arms race in the Middle East.
Concerns Over Regional Security
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence and foreign ministers have so far not commented on the deal, which critics say compromises Israel’s long-term security interests. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the nuclear agreement is a serious strategic failure that endangers Israel’s security.
Former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman warned that the civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia will end in nuclear weapons and will lead to a crazy arms race throughout the entire Middle East. Israel, which is widely believed to have the region’s only nuclear arsenal, must oppose the deal and lobby Congress to stop it, he said.
The agreement, which still needs Congressional approval, is meant to allow the Saudis to develop a civilian nuclear programme. However, nonproliferation groups have warned that it could offer Saudi Arabia a path to develop a nuclear weapon.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
