Political analysts have disagreed over the results of the recent G-8 meeting. Causing the greatest stir was Russia’s opposition to interference in Middle Eastern affairs under the pretext of reform and imposition of democracy, confirming that reform will never succeed unless it comes from within and in a manner corresponding to each country’s situation.

The second point of disagreement was over NATO military interference in Iraq. France categorically rejected this and the French president confirmed that any intervention by NATO in Iraq would result in great dangers, including the threat of a face-off between the Christian West and the Islamic world. The Russian president echoed France’s view, saying that it was important for the UN rather than NATO to take over in Iraq. The only unanimous agreement was the proposed working plan to control the spread of WMDs. The plan considers the smuggling or publication of sensitive chemical equipment or materials to be a great threat to the entire world. Clear and specific warnings should be issued to North Korea and Iran to halt their nuclear programs and get rid of their nuclear weapons.

While this is indeed a positive step, support for it hinges on the emergence of a real intention to implement it without discriminating between countries.

As such we must pause at two very important points:

First, what is the position of the G-8 countries regarding their own WMDs? Isn’t it time for them to get rid of their own in the absence of an international force that could threaten them? I believe that taking honest, positive steps to get rid of their colossal arsenals would ensure the success of this or any other plan aimed at controlling the spread of WMDs.

The second point relates to Israel. Despite the G-8’s request for the world to rid itself of WMDs, specifically mentioning North Korea and Iran, no mention was made of Israel, a large threat and danger to international peace and security. Israel possesses a military arsenal that includes nuclear, chemical and biological weapons as well as the means to use them.

A French writer has confirmed this, saying that Israel is the only country in the region with a huge biological arsenal and one of the most active development, production and storage programs and that Israel also concentrates on using biological aerosol which pollute the air and the soil. The Yenis Tuna institution near Tel Aviv produces both biological and chemical weapons and has recently produced nerve gas; it also stores the anthrax virus. Thus, we ask the G-8: Are you aware of Israel’s capabilities with all types of WMDs?

You certainly do. Why then do you not demand that Israel get rid of them? Is it a deliberate oversight or the fear of being accused of anti-Semitism, that great lie behind which hide many errors and injustices? We support the disarmament of all kinds of WMDs from all Middle East countries, excluding none. But so long as Israel doesn’t abandon these weapons, no current or future plan can ever hope to succeed. As long as the Israeli threat remains, so will the race for traditional arms, publicly, and WMDs, secretly, continue and the whole world continue to be threatened by Israel’s intransigence and its rejection of the global movement seeking peace.