FOREIGN Minister Kevin Rudd has arrived in Israel with a blunt message: allow international inspectors into your nuclear facility.He has also called on Israel to stop building in Jewish settlements in both the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In an interview with The Australian before he arrived in Israel last night, Mr Rudd staked out strong positions on both issues.
While many countries are calling on Israel to halt settlement growth, it is Mr Rudd's strong stance on Israel's nuclear facility that is bound to be most controversial in Israel.
Israel refuses to confirm that it even has nuclear weapons, but foreign intelligence analysts familiar with the program believe Israel has just over 200 nuclear warheads at its facility in Dimona in southern Israel. Israeli officials have confirmed to The Australian that Israel has nuclear weapons but will not place a figure on them.
The Australian - a4 December 2010 | Read full report :
