Israel "narrowly" avoided a diplomatic crisis today, with the IAEA failing to ratify an "Arab-backed resolution" that would have prodded Israel into joining the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). "At the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) annual conference, 51 nations voted against the resolution, 46 for, while 23 abstained."
The timing of the resolution could not have been better for Israel. As Washington presses for progress in Mid-East peace talks, a confrontation over what is commonly termed 'the best known secret in international relations' would have likely prompted Israel's withdrawal from any formal discussions with the PA. The imminent cessation of peace talks would have also portended a resumption of Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank.
Of course, most importantly, it would have deprived President Obama of an essential photograph in his Wikipedia entry. "The US had urged a vote against, saying it could undermine a conference on a nuclear-free Middle East in 2012."
Jacob Nelson
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