Cartoon of the week: Iran and Israel - spot the difference

Cartoon by Bendig...

Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran is complying with UN resolutions and has opened its nuclear installations to inspection. It insists that it is committed to developing nuclear power for energy purposes only -- as it is entitled to do under international law. Not a shred of evidence has been produced to show that Iran intends to develop nuclear armaments. Iran has stated categorically that it has no such plans.

To no avail.

Iran, says Barack Obama, "must comply with United Nations resolutions" and his secretary of state, Hilary Clinton, says Iran will face "crippling" sanctions if it doesn't do something it is already doing.

"We are committed to demonstrating that international law is not an empty promise," says Obama," president of the nation that has, since 1945, violated more international laws than any other country.

Meanwhile, Israel -- a country that has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty -- has a secret stockpile of nuclear weapons, as revealed 23 years ago by Israeli nuclear technician Dr Modecai Vanunu, for which service to humanity he was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. Since his release in 2004 he has been held by the Israeli government under severe restrictions which prevent him from leaving Israel or, without permission, his home town. He is forbidden any communication with foreigners.

Israel is one of only three countries along with India and Pakistan, which is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT), and is widely believed to possess several hundred nuclear warheads, as well as the means to deliver them.

When the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time on 19 September 2009 called on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and open up its atomic sites to international inspection, the response was predictable: refusal to cooperate in any way.