Breaking: Olmert admits that Israel has nuclear weapons
posted at 2:00 pm on December 11, 2006 by Allahpundit
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Thus ends the world’s worst kept secret.
Botched joke, maybe?
The prime minister became enraged when he was asked if the fact that Israel possessed nuclear power weakened the West’s position against Iran.
“Israel is a democracy and does not threaten anyone,” he exclaimed. The only thing we have tried to do is to live without (threats of) terror, but we have never threatened to destroy another nation. Iran explicitly and publicly threatens to wipe Israel off the map.”
Olmert then went on to admit Israel’s nuclear capability.
“The US, Russia, France, Britain and Israel have nuclear weapons but they do not threaten any one with it.”
He might have meant to say “India” and the wrong I-word came out. Whoopsie!
Incidentally, we can thank the new Secretary of Defense for having reintroduced this subject into the public debate. Or can we? Maybe Olmert thinks the time was right to let this cat out of its bag.
SPIEGEL: Do you rule out a military strike?
Olmert: I am talking about effective measures that will be accepted by the international community to stop the Iranian danger.
SPIEGEL: So you don’t rule out a military strike.
Olmert: I don’t rule out anything.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
This was a secret? I guess I’ve read too many Tom Clancy novels. I thought it was common knowledge.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on December 11, 2006 at 2:01 PM
It was…er, is.
If this were a respected leader speaking, I would assume that this was a carefully planned reminder to the Nutjob Regime in Iran that it’s a two way street.
Alas, it was Olmert…
Jaibones on December 11, 2006 at 2:05 PM
I don’t believe Israel has nukes.
They’re going to have to, um, prove it somehow before I believe it. Not that I have any specific testing grounds in mind ….
Professor Blather on December 11, 2006 at 2:10 PM
Hey Abbas Look down! Now do you see why all of this tunneling going on over in the Palestinian area is dangerous. What if they accidentally trigger an underground nuclear test?
LakeRuins on December 11, 2006 at 2:14 PM
Maybe soon Iran will admit it has Shiites.
frankj on December 11, 2006 at 2:14 PM
This is breaking news?
right2bright on December 11, 2006 at 2:14 PM
…and, in the well-wrung hands of this zero Olmert, the weeping Nellies in the West can be assured that they’ll continue to collect dust…the late foray into Lebanon has proved to me, if to nobody else, that defense under this bozo will be an afterthought.
Puritan1648 on December 11, 2006 at 2:15 PM
It wasn’t a secret but just never officially admitted. Undoubtedly this was a slip of the tongue on Olmert’s part, but since everyone already knows Israel has nuclear weapons, I can’t see what practical difference it would make. However, no doubt some people would like to capitalize on this utterance by pressing for Israel to sign the non-proliferation treaty in some way or another.
MoonbatMedia on December 11, 2006 at 2:17 PM
Isreal plays this shell game because the UN bought and payed for by arab dollars would then push forward a resolution asking Israel to disarm its nukes.
Israel simply refuses to even admit it has nukes defanging the UN.
William Amos on December 11, 2006 at 2:20 PM
It’s breaking news in the way Clay Aiken announcing he’s gay would be news.
see-dubya on December 11, 2006 at 2:22 PM
Israels official position has been that it “will not introduce nuclear weapons to the region.” I always assumed they meant “introduce” in the sense of “say hello to my li’l frien’.”
Jobius on December 11, 2006 at 2:22 PM
Isreal has WMD’s!!!!!!
oh brother, I thought it was comm knowlege myself.
CBarker on December 11, 2006 at 2:23 PM
WHAT? Is this a joke post? I don’t get it. Is there anyone who didn’t already know this?
Gregor on December 11, 2006 at 2:28 PM
Muslims came in 3rd again. No wonder they are always seething and pissed off. They loose every competition they are in. We need to let them win something. Maybe a surfing contest or Yahtzee.
LakeRuins on December 11, 2006 at 2:29 PM
Since when is this news? It would be news if we found out Israel didn’t have nukes.
JustTruth101 on December 11, 2006 at 2:31 PM
They don’t have nukes! Maybe a little gas from the corned beef, but that’s about it!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on December 11, 2006 at 2:34 PM
Does Isreal have nukes like Iraq had nukes?
Wade on December 11, 2006 at 2:36 PM
Russia doesn’t threaten anyone? What an optimist.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on December 11, 2006 at 2:36 PM
Assuming this isn’t a slip-of-the-tongue, I think this is a veiled warning or diplomatic way of saying “Do Not F With Us.”
This really worries me, if it was intentional. There has to be a reason why they would publicly acknowledge it. I’m thinking it would be either to disarm or to revamp their stock.
:/
Kai on December 11, 2006 at 2:36 PM
My friend that’s the classic definition of a WMD.
Iblis on December 11, 2006 at 2:37 PM
I hardly think Olmert is capable of harsh rhetoric. My money is on a gaff. He meant to say India.
spmat on December 11, 2006 at 2:40 PM
Notwithstanding India threatens Pakistan with nukes, and Pakistan threatens India with nukes?
I think he said what he meant.
CyberCipher on December 11, 2006 at 2:46 PM
D’OH!
KelliD on December 11, 2006 at 2:50 PM
India’s posturing is largely seen as legitimately defensive, especially given that it is Pakistan that is the aggressor in the Kashmir region. India is also a legitimate parliamentary republic, one that is not in constant threat of a military coup. Also, there isn’t widespread fear that Indian nuclear weaponry will fall into the hands of terrorists. Last time I checked, OBL wasn’t hiding in Mumbai, either.
spmat on December 11, 2006 at 3:22 PM
Mon Dieu, il expose l’évident. Oh my, he stated the obvious. How unnuanced of him. Almost cowboy!
What will Cindy Sheehan say?
What will the nutroots say?
What will Mr. Baker say?
Best of all, what will Mrs. Clinton say?
Entelechy on December 11, 2006 at 3:38 PM
Mr. Olmert - Threaten - use them before it is too late.
iam7545 on December 11, 2006 at 5:36 PM
In other news; Liberache was GAY.
Neo on December 11, 2006 at 5:40 PM
He forgot India and Pakistan. Of course he couldn’t then say “they do not threaten any one with it”, as they threaten each other with “it” all the time. Also, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, there may be a shed load of others Omert neglected to mention.
Uh huh. Tell it to the Lebanese people, or any of the 4 neighbouring countries, all of which his country has invaded, and some of which they continue to occupy.
THeDRiFTeR on December 11, 2006 at 7:09 PM
The Scheersberg A. wasn’t carrying a load of corn, so this isn’t exactly a suprise.
Purple Avenger on December 11, 2006 at 7:17 PM
Did everyone go to Jihadwatch today and vote for best and worst Dhimmi’s?
And yes, Ah oh ohlmert made the worst international dhimmi list.
What nukes?
Only American Libs can mis-speak and botch stuff?/s
What does Rosie have to say?/
shooter on December 11, 2006 at 8:10 PM
It’s the equivalent of telling us there really is no Santa Claus. I doubt it was a slip of the tongue. Recall Chirac making a recent comment about Frances nukes? - I think it was for the same reason. A veiled threat. However, later news sources were saying he was mis-quoted. I’m not buying it.
thedecider on December 11, 2006 at 8:53 PM
Thanks for the “different” viewpoint
Jimmy CarterDrifter.Rick on December 11, 2006 at 10:38 PM
I say they can prove it with a live-fire exercise in… oh… say… IRAN! Then we’d believe it.
Mojave Mark on December 12, 2006 at 12:07 AM