IAEA REJECTS PRESSING ISRAEL TO JOIN NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY

Vienna, 4 Dzulhijjah 1435/28 September 2014 (MINA) – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rejected on Thursday an Arab-backed resolution pressuring Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

At an annual conference of the UN atomic agency, Arab countries criticised Israel over its massive nuclear arsenal and circulated a draft resolution intended to pressure Israel to join the NPT.

Nations meeting at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s general conference voted 58-45 against the resolution, while 27 abstained, according to the Ma’an News Agency reports monitored by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA), Sunday.

The resolution expressed concern “about Israeli nuclear capabilities,” urging Israel to join the NPT and put its nuclear facilities under international oversight.

Meanwhile, the conference voted 117-0, with 13 abstentions, in favour of a resolution submitted by Egypt that called on “all states in the region” to join the NPT.

The draft echoed previous such resolutions at annual meetings of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency.

IAEA rejected putting Israel’s huge nuclear stock under international oversight, while countries that have never thought about the use of atomic power were almost unanimously pushed to be put under oversight.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the decision. “The vote is a rejection of a repeated attempt by Arab states to condemn and isolate Israel at the IAEA.” The Israeli Foreign Minister called it a “victory for Israeli diplomacy.” (T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)