Several non-Western countries have commented on Israel's possession of nuclear weapons and its refusal to join the **Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)** or submit to international inspections. Here are some notable examples: ### **1. Iran** Iran has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel's nuclear ambiguity. Iranian officials frequently accuse Israel of [[hypocrisy]] for possessing nuclear weapons while opposing Iran's nuclear program. - **Quote (2023):** *"The Zionist regime possesses hundreds of nuclear warheads but is not a member of the NPT, while Iran's peaceful nuclear program is under the most extensive inspections."* – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson. ### **2. Egypt** Egypt has long pushed for a **Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zone (WMDFZ)** and criticizes Israel's nuclear opacity. - **Quote (2015, NPT Review Conference):** *"Israel’s refusal to join the NPT undermines regional security and creates a dangerous double standard."* – Egyptian delegate. ### **3. Saudi Arabia** While Saudi Arabia has not officially confirmed Israel's nuclear status, it has expressed concerns about regional imbalances. - **Quote (2018):** *"Any country in the region that seeks nuclear weapons forces others to reconsider their options."* – Former Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (implied reference to Israel). ### **4. Turkey** Turkey has called for Israel to join the NPT and subject its nuclear facilities to IAEA inspections. - **Quote (2020):** *"The nuclear capabilities of Israel remain a serious concern for regional stability."* – Turkish Foreign Ministry statement. ### **5. Pakistan** Pakistan, itself a nuclear-armed state outside the NPT until 1998, has occasionally criticized Israel's nuclear stance. - **Quote (2009):** *"Selective enforcement of non-proliferation rules only encourages instability."* – Pakistani envoy to the UN. ### **6. Syria** Syria has repeatedly condemned Israel's nuclear program as a threat to regional peace. - **Quote (2014, UN General Assembly):** *"Israel’s nuclear arsenal is the primary obstacle to a nuclear-free Middle East."* ### **Key Points of Criticism:** - **Double Standards:** Many countries argue that Israel faces no consequences for its nuclear program while others (e.g., Iran, North Korea) face [[Sanctions]]. - **NPT Non-Compliance:** Israel has never signed the NPT, unlike all other Middle Eastern nations. - **US Support:** Critics often highlight that the US shields Israel from pressure on this issue. https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/mde150212009eng.pdf  `Concepts:` [[Politics|Politics]] `Knowledge Base:` [[Digital index]]