House Democrats Urge Rubio to Acknowledge Israel's Nuclear Program

Thirty House Democrats, led by Congressmember Joaquin Castro, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Trump administration to publicly acknowledge Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program. The lawmakers cited concerns over transparency and nonproliferation amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.

The letter, signed by 30 members of Congress, argues that Congress has a constitutional responsibility to be fully informed about the nuclear balance in the Middle East and the administration’s planning for potential escalations. According to Democracy Now!, the lawmakers wrote, “We do not believe we have received that information.” The letter breaks a bipartisan policy of silence on Israel’s nuclear program dating back to a secret 1969 agreement between President Richard Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir.

According to Al Jazeera, the Democrats called for greater transparency, particularly regarding Israel's Negev Nuclear Research Center in Dimona. The letter asks whether Israel possesses enrichment capabilities, details on its warheads and launchers, and any assurances that nuclear weapons will not be used during conflicts. It also questions if Israel has articulated a nuclear doctrine or red lines for nuclear use.

The Guardian reports that the Democrats argue it is unsustainable for the Trump administration to collaborate with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on military campaigns against Iran without publicly acknowledging Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons. The letter notes that other U.S. government officials have essentially admitted its existence, including former defense secretary nominee Robert Gates and Israeli heritage minister Amichai Eliyahu.

The lawmakers also highlight the harm caused by continued ambiguity over Israel's nuclear capabilities, particularly in efforts to address nonproliferation in the Middle East. They point to statements by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has indicated that Saudi Arabia would seek nuclear weapons if Iran develops them. The Democrats urge Rubio to hold Israel to the same standard of transparency expected from any other country pursuing or retaining nuclear capabilities.