Writing for the The New York Times ^[1], Ehud Eiran describes how regional engagement and dialogue may be able to lessen Israel’s existential insecurities in the Middle East. Eiran explains that Israel’s traditional position with regard to regional nonproliferation issues emerges from a power-based understanding of the world that posits Israel’s very existence insured by its technological and military superiority.
The limits of international nonproliferation regimes to contain rogue-states like North Korea has bolstered Israel’s skepticism regarding nonproliferation agreements and their effectiveness.
Because Israel’s foreign policy in this area is informed by its regional neighbors, Israel may benefit from engagement on a broad scale, which could include discussion of nonproliferation issues, according to Eiran. Anything to lessen these tensions would be seen as a benefit to Israel individually and the region as a whole.