Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova speaks during a news conference in Moscow, Russia, April 4, 2023. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Russia’s foreign ministry made a notable statement on Tuesday regarding a comment made by an Israeli junior minister, which seemingly hinted at the possibility of Israel conducting a nuclear strike on Gaza. The comment by the junior minister, Amihay Eliyahu, from a far-right party in the coalition government, led to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspending him from cabinet meetings “until further notice.”
In response to a radio interview question about a hypothetical nuclear option, Eliyahu had surprisingly replied, “That’s one way.”
The repercussions of this remark have reverberated widely, drawing attention not only within Israel but also on the global stage. Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry, expressed concerns about Israel appearing to acknowledge the possession of nuclear weapons, a matter that Israel traditionally does not publicly affirm. Nonetheless, the Federation of American Scientists estimates that Israel possesses approximately 90 nuclear warheads.
The questions that have arisen in the wake of Eliyahu’s comment are indeed significant. Zakharova’s inquiries extend to the implications of an official statement regarding the presence of nuclear weapons, raising doubts and concerns that merit international attention.
She further questioned the role and responsibility of international bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency and international nuclear inspectors in light of such revelations.
Eliyahu’s statement has elicited strong reactions from around the Arab world, drawing widespread condemnation. It has scandalized mainstream Israeli media outlets, been deemed “objectionable” by a U.S. official, and prompted Iran to call for an urgent international response.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, urged immediate action by the UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency to disarm what he referred to as a “barbaric and apartheid regime.” The urgency of the situation, according to Amirabdollahian, cannot be overstated, emphasizing the need for swift and resolute international intervention.
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