This resolution is deeply flawed and hypocritical: It ignores the realities of the Middle East and the real threats facing the region and the entire world.

This resolution is deeply flawed and hypocritical: It ignores the realities of the Middle East and the real threats facing the region and the entire world. It singles out Israel, the Middle East's only true democracy and the only country threatened with annihilation. Yet the terrorist regime in Iran, which is racing to develop nuclear weapons and which openly threatens to wipe Israel off the map, is not even mentioned in the resolution.

The real problem with weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East does not relate to Israel but to those countries that have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and brazenly violated it - Iraq under Saddam Hussein, Libya, Syria and Iran. That is why the resolution adopted by the NPT Review Conference not only fails to advance regional security but actually sets it back.

As a non-signatory state of the NPT, Israel is not obligated by the decisions of this Conference, which has no authority over Israel.

Given the distorted nature of this resolution, Israel will not be able to take part in its implementation.

Regarding the practical consequences of this resolution for Israel, we take note of the important clarifications that have been made by the United States regarding its policy. The Prime Minister will discuss this issue with President Obama on his upcoming visit to Washington this Tuesday.

© 2008 Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The State of Israel. All rights reserved.