TEHRAN – A senior nuclear physicist describes Israeli far-right minister Amihai Eliyahu who proposed using nuclear arms against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as “criminally insane”.

Frank N. von Hippel, who is also a professor of public and international affairs emeritus with Princeton’s Program on Science and Global Security, tells the Tehran Times that he does think that this “criminal statement” by a “lunatic” like Eliyahu “changes the situation significantly” in the ground.

The following is the text of the interview:

Q: Amihai Eliyahu, an Israeli far-right minister, has said that “one of Israel's options in the war in Gaza is to drop a nuclear bomb on the Strip.” What does this dangerous threat indicate?

A: I would take it as an indication that Eliyahu is criminally insane and I am glad Prime Minister Netanyahu, whose policies toward the Palestinians I also find abhorrent, immediately removed Eliyahu from the cabinet.

“Netanyahu’s cabinet is disturbingly insensitive to civilian casualties in Gaza.”

Q: Don’t you think the statement by Eliyahu was a bombshell to the extent that it can prompt other countries in the region to go after atomic bombs and a nuclear arms race begin in the region?

A: I hope Eliyahu’s immediate removal from Israel’s cabinet has limited the damage to the nuclear nonproliferation regime caused by his statement.

Q: Some analysts claim that Eliyahu's threat was in coordination with top officials in Israel and that the criticism against him or his suspension was superficial. What do you think?

A: Netanyahu’s cabinet is disturbingly insensitive to civilian casualties in Gaza, but I doubt that, even in Israel’s extremist cabinet, there has been any serious discussion of the use of nuclear weapons against Gaza.

Q: Also, some political analysts say the nuclear threat by Eliyahu was mainly aimed at Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. What is your view?

“There are already too many dangers to the future of civilization.”

A: Everyone knows that Israel has nuclear weapons. That constitutes some kind of deterrent against an attack that would threaten Israel’s existence. Certainly, a lunatic like Eliyahu suggesting the use of nuclear weapons against innocent refugees would not significantly increase that deterrent.

Q: Now what is the main duty of the IAEA and the international community at large given that Israel openly admits it has nuclear weapons?

A: The international community – especially the US – opposed Israel’s acquisition of nuclear weapons.  The Nonproliferation Treaty review process has forced the discussion of Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons and what can be done about it to achieve a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East. I don’t think that this criminal statement by a lunatic – from which Israel’s Prime Minister quickly distanced himself – changes the situation significantly.

Q: Given such an open threat of nuclear weapons, what is the importance of a nuclear arms-free zone in the Middle East?

A: I support a Middle East Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.  I support a Nuclear Weapons Free World.  There are already too many dangers to the future of civilization.  I have devoted my career to reducing the danger from nuclear weapons and will continue to do so as long as I am able.