Israel Matzav

Olmert tells German television Israel has nuclear capability

Loose lips sink ships.

Last week, Olmert told the world that he stopped the fighting in Lebanon because he didn't want anyone else to be killed and that it was better to leave our kidnapped soldiers behind. Tonight, Olmert told German television station SAT1 that Israel has nuclear weapons. It's not clear yet whether he did so on purpose or by 'accident.' Forty years of 'nuclear ambiguity up in smoke. Amazing....

In an unprecedented move on Monday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert admitted that Israel possessed nuclear weapons.

In an interview with the German television network SAT 1, Olmert was asked about the statement by US defense minister Robert Gates regarding Israel's nuclear ability.

The prime minister became enraged when he was asked if the fact that Israel possessed nuclear power weakened the West's position against Iran.

"Israel is a democracy and does not threaten anyone," he exclaimed. The only thing we have tried to do is to live without (threats of) terror, but we have never threatened to destroy another nation. Iran explicitly and publicly threatens to wipe Israel off the map."

Olmert then went on to admit Israel's nuclear capability.

"The US, Russia, France, Britain and Israel have nuclear weapons but they do not threaten any one with it."

The prime minister said that the difference was that those countries were "cultured nations" who did not threaten the world's principles with nuclear destruction.

I don't think I would describe Russia or France or Olmert as 'cultured.'

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:40 PM