I fear that NATO would further hamper Israel’s security policy. I can just imagine the mess in Brussels every time Israel wants to make a move. Just great... with France, Germany and Turkey on board. IOne may hint that Turkey also pretty freely deals with PKK in and outside of Turkey, but we know the hypocrisy on Israel. Also what if Israel has to deal with another nation, like Iran or Syria? don’t think that this is what Israel needs.
The prospect of a nuclear armed Middle East is the worst case scenario. It wouldn’t stop with Iran and Saudi Arabia. Egypt, Lybia, Syria and certainly Turkey would want nukes too. I don’t have to mention what happens if one of the countless terrorist organizations gets hold of them.
Israel and President Bush have reiterated that they won’t accept and won’t forgive a nuclear Iran. Look at what Israel did with Syria’s nuke facility. This is business.
NATO doesn’t really have the authority to veto a member country’s policies for their own defense. What it would bring to the table is an ability for Israel to invoke Article 5 and demand assistance from other NATO countries in the event of an attack. Under this article an attack on one member country is considered an attack on every member country.
I also think you’re right that allowing Iran and Saudi Arabia to have nukes would validate the claims of other nations, including Egypt, Turkey and Syria, to have nuclear weapons.
“Also what if Israel has to deal with another nation, like Iran or Syria? don’t think that this is what Israel needs.”
SW - upon re-thinking this, you’re probably right about NATO not being such a good thing for Israel. God knows the UN is both evil and worthless to our interests. Guess I was just thinking (initially) that if Israel were a NATO member, maybe more nations would stand with them.