Russia: Israeli Statement on Nuclear Weapons Raises Many Questions

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that a statement from an Israeli minister, which appeared to be open to the idea of Israel launching a nuclear strike on Gaza, raises many questions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended Minister of Heritage Amihai Eliyahu, a member of the far-right party in the coalition government, from government meetings "until further notice." When asked in a radio interview about a hypothetical nuclear option, Eliyahu responded, "This is one of the means." His remarks quickly drew condemnation from across the Arab world, sparked a scandal for major Israeli broadcasting stations, and were deemed "unacceptable" by an American official.