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Israel's double standards

With the world displaying its concern about North Korea's nuclear test and capabilities and how this might all play out in relation to Iran's nuclear intentions, needless to say Israel eyes where Iran is headed with more than a degree of apprehension - as well it might.

That said, this item from the Jewish Telgraphic Agency displays a double-standard not only by the Israelis but in the West's attitude to the well-known fact of Israel possessing a nuclear capacity:

"Shimon Peres said he sees no reason for Israel to go public with its nuclear capabilities.

The Israeli vice premier, who helped found the Dimona reactor a half-century ago, said Monday that the Jewish state’s policy of “strategic ambiguity” over whether it has an atomic arsenal is a success.

“Look, we have not conducted nuclear tests. We never said we have nuclear weaponry. We made do with the suspicions that were directed at us, as a deterrent power. I think that this was the right decision. I think such calculations are still relevant,” he told Army Radio.

Peres confirmed before an American Jewish audience in 2003 that Israel has nuclear weapons, but the admission was not considered official because Peres was not in government at the time.

With Iran seen as trying to developing nuclear weapons, some experts have speculated that Israel could go public with its own strategic capabilities to maintain deterrence."

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