U.S.-Indian Nuclear Deal Puts Israel In Hot Seat

On its face, the nuclear deal signed by the Bush administration and India, now heading for approval before Congress, sets a good precedent for Israel. In effect, Washington is rewarding a country that developed nuclear weapons in circumvention of the landmark nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, sanctioning its arsenal after the fact because of its responsible behavior.

But critics both in and outside of Congress counter that making such exceptions for nuclear violators at a time of major concern over Iran's nuclear ambitions could prove to be a double-edged sword from Israel's point of view. By granting legitimacy to India's nuclear arsenal, critics say that the deal will raise complaints of double standards and spark new calls for international scrutiny. Any such debate is likely to bring an unwelcome spotlight onto Israel and to re-energize longstanding calls by Muslim countries for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons.

Early indications already have surfaced that Israel, which never has acknowledged its nuclear status, could face renewed pressure as new efforts emerge to forge a new and improved nuclear nonproliferation regime...

http://www.forward.com/articles/7967