UN Nuclear Conference Votes Down Anti-Israel Resolution

"An Arab-led attempt to censure Israel over its 'nuclear capabilities' failed Thursday, with states backing the Jewish state at the U.N atomic agency's annual meeting voting down a resolution critical of the Jewish state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the result as a 'great victory.'

Israel has yet to formally declare its widely-known status as a nuclear weapons state - a status that Arab nations and Iran insist presents the greatest threat to Mideast peace. That view is opposed not only by Israel but also the United States and other Western nations that for years have said that Iran's potential to make such arms is the key danger in the region.

Like in past years, Arab states, backed by Iran and many nonaligned nations, forced a vote on their resolution expressing 'concern about the Israeli nuclear capabilities' and urging the Jewish state to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. And like at most previous meetings, those opposed were in the majority - but this time by a more lopsided margin. Of nations present for the vote, 43 were in favor, 61 were against and 33 abstained..."