The Washington Post: Democrats call for an end to America’s silence on Israel’s nuclear program
A group of Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have sent a letter to the Secretary of State, calling for transparency regarding Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program.
According to this report, more than 30 representatives, led by Joaquin Castro, emphasized in this letter that Washington’s silence on this issue, especially amid the war with Iran and the increased risk of escalating tension, is indefensible.
The letter states that the risk of miscalculation and even the use of nuclear weapons in the current situation is real, and Congress must have full access to information about the nuclear balance in the Middle East.
This move, according to analysts, is considered a break from a decades-long practice in U.S. policy, a policy that took shape in the late 1960s through an informal agreement between the U.S. and Israel, based on which Washington has refrained from officially acknowledging Israel’s nuclear program.
The lawmakers also argued in this letter that continuing this policy undermines America’s credibility in its efforts to contain the nuclear programs of other countries in the region.
This request comes as debates are also ongoing within the U.S. about the potential for nuclear escalation in the Middle East and how Israel might respond in crisis scenarios.