Qatar Advocates for UN Oversight of Israel’s Nuclear Arsenal

Qatar has called for UN oversight of Israel’s nuclear facilities during a session at the IAEA in Vienna, urging Israel to join the NPT as a non-nuclear state. Ambassador Jassim Yacoub al-Hammadi stressed the importance of international responsibility regarding Israel’s nuclear program and humanitarian access in Palestine, criticizing Western silence on the matter. This appeal follows previous demands for proper supervision of Israel’s nuclear capabilities amid ongoing regional concerns.

Qatar has reaffirmed its position for Israel’s nuclear facilities to be subjected to international supervision, advocating for stronger action to involve the UN’s nuclear watchdog. During a recent assembly at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Jassim Yacoub al-Hammadi, Qatar’s ambassador to Austria, urged for the IAEA safeguards to be applied to Israel’s nuclear operations and called for Israel to become a non-nuclear state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Ambassador al-Hammadi emphasized the necessity of international institutions fulfilling their responsibilities under several UN resolutions, particularly referencing the 1995 NPT Review Conference that requested Israel to allow oversight of its nuclear sites by the IAEA. He pointed out that Israel stands as the sole Middle Eastern state not part of the NPT, which raises significant concerns especially in light of the recent conflict in Gaza.

Moreover, al-Hammadi urged Israel to enable international organizations and humanitarian agencies to operate in Palestine without obstruction. He underscored the urgent need to safeguard UN properties and critical infrastructure such as healthcare facilities, educational institutions, transportation systems, and water resources.

The ambassador concluded by calling on the international community to ensure Israel adheres to international resolutions, acknowledges the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and takes necessary actions to restore both security and stability in the region.

This recent appeal from Qatar reflects earlier statements made during the 67th IAEA General Conference in September 2023, where similar calls were made regarding the supervision of Israel’s nuclear endeavors. While Israel has never officially confirmed the existence of its nuclear arsenal, estimates suggest that it possesses approximately 90 plutonium warheads, sufficient material to create between 100 and 200 nuclear weapons, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in June 2024.

Additionally, Qatar has criticized Western countries for their muted response to Israel’s purported nuclear capabilities, contrasting their assertive approaches toward nuclear oversight concerning nations like Iran and North Korea.

In summary, Qatar has made renewed efforts to advocate for the international oversight of Israel’s nuclear program, emphasizing compliance with UN resolutions and urging Israel to permit operational freedom for humanitarian organizations in Palestine. The Qatari representatives insist on the need for Israel to join the NPT and align with international standards concerning nuclear transparency, shedding light on a critical issue in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Original Source: www.newarab.com