MONKEYPOX: The Imperative for Israel to Ratify the Biological Weapons Convention and Commit to Peaceful Global Relations

Israel’s status as a prominent player in global health and security is undeniable. Yet, the fact that Israel has not ratified the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) raises significant concerns, particularly given its extensive research into diseases like monkeypox. As a nation with advanced scientific capabilities and a complex geopolitical landscape, Israel's refusal to ratify the BWC creates a disquieting ambiguity about its intentions and the potential misuse of biological research. This ambiguity is further compounded by the religious underpinnings of the Israeli state, where interpretations of sacred texts could theoretically justify the use of plagues as divine instruments against perceived enemies.

The Biological Weapons Convention: A Critical Pillar for Global Security

The BWC, established in 1972, is a key international treaty that outlaws the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons . It is a cornerstone of global efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. By choosing not to ratify the BWC, Israel positions itself outside a crucial framework designed to promote transparency, trust, and cooperation in the realm of biological research. This omission raises the specter of dual-use research—where legitimate studies on diseases like monkeypox could be repurposed for malevolent ends, such as the creation of biological weapons .

Israel's Extensive Research into Monkeypox

Israel has conducted extensive research on monkeypox, particularly in response to the global outbreak that began in 2022. This research includes studies on transmission, the development of vaccines, and public health strategies to mitigate the virus's spread . While such research is undoubtedly vital for global health, the lack of BWC ratification casts a shadow over these activities. Without the transparency and oversight that BWC membership entails, there is a persistent concern that such research could be misused, potentially even for gain-of-function experiments that enhance the virus’s lethality or transmissibility .

Israel as a Scientific Powerhouse: The Potential for Misuse

Israel is a global leader in scientific research and technological innovation. With world-class universities and research institutions, the nation has the capability to develop sophisticated biological agents, including viruses that could be used as biological weapons . The hypothetical notion that Israel might engage in such activities is supported by two key factors:

1. Non-Ratification of the Biological Weapons Convention: By not ratifying the BWC, Israel avoids the legal responsibilities and oversight mechanisms that would hold it accountable for the misuse of biological research .
2. Religious Acceptance of Using Plagues Against Enemies: Israel’s identity as a Jewish state, where government policies are influenced by religious principles, adds another layer of concern. The Torah includes passages that condone the use of plagues as divine retribution, potentially providing a theological justification for the use of biological weapons .

The Religious Dimension: A Theocratic Government's Ethical Dilemma

Israel is a nation explicitly founded as a Jewish state, where the government and many of its policies are influenced by Jewish religious principles. The Torah, which is central to Judaism, includes passages where plagues are used as instruments of divine retribution against enemies. For instance, in the Book of Exodus, God sends ten plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to free the Israelites:

• Exodus 9:14: "For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth" .
• Deuteronomy 28:21: "The Lord will make the pestilence cling to you until he has consumed you off the land that you are entering to take possession of it" .

These texts could be interpreted by some as a divine endorsement of using plagues against adversaries. While most modern interpretations of Judaism reject the literal application of these verses in contemporary geopolitics, the mere existence of such texts within the religious tradition of a theocratic state warrants scrutiny. The potential for religious justification, however remote, heightens the urgency for Israel to commit to international norms against the use of biological weapons.

Hypothetical Concerns: U.S. Support and Possible Implications

Recent events have raised additional concerns about the potential misuse of biological research by Israel. Notably, a demonstration by U.S. Senators and Congresspersons clapping enthusiastically for Benjamin Netanyahu after he was declared a war criminal by some observers may be indicative of underlying knowledge that the public is not privy to . Hypothetically, one could propose that U.S. intelligence might be aware of Israel's capabilities in the realm of biological weapons and their possible intentions for their use.

Could it be that the United States government already knows that Israel has developed virus capabilities that are being used to control and manipulate, and that the COVID-19 pandemic was a warning shot, demonstrating this power? If so, this could signal the beginning of an escalating issuance of plagues against humanity, a dark strategy aimed at ensuring that only the "chosen people" remain on the planet. While this is speculative, the lack of transparency due to Israel’s non-ratification of the BWC only fuels such fears.

Genetic Targeting: The Potential Use of Genetic Information

Another alarming possibility concerns the vast amounts of genetic data being collected through commercial services like 23andMe. This data could hypothetically be used by Israel to develop biological agents specifically targeting certain genetic populations. For example, it is conceivable that a virus could be engineered to impact only individuals without certain Judaic genetic markers, thereby sparing those with Jewish ancestry while harming others. This kind of targeted biological weapon could be devastating, and the idea that such capabilities could exist is deeply concerning in the context of Israel's advanced research capabilities and its non-ratification of the BWC .

Masking the Origin of Virus Transmission: The Role of Covert Operations

A fourth concern involves the potential for Israel to covertly introduce a biological agent into a population while masking its origin. Hypothetically, a Mossad agent could take a virus developed in an Israeli research lab and introduce it into a region such as the Wuhan food market. Israel, having developed a vaccine and possibly hidden the protection in a traditional vaccine like the flu shot, could ensure that only Jews in the Israeli region are immunized. The biological agent could then be released in a foreign country, with no one being the wiser that Israel was responsible for its introduction. This scenario highlights the ease with which a state could carry out a biological attack while maintaining plausible deniability, further underscoring the urgent need for Israel to ratify the BWC and commit to transparent, peaceful practices .

The Urgency for Ratification and Peaceful Diplomacy

To dispel any concerns and demonstrate its commitment to global peace, Israel must ratify the Biological Weapons Convention without delay. Ratification would signal Israel’s dedication to the peaceful use of biological research and its willingness to engage in transparent, good-faith cooperation with the international community. Furthermore, Israel must prioritize peaceful communication with its neighbors to resolve disputes, whether they pertain to land, religion, or other issues. Only through dialogue and mutual respect can the region move towards lasting peace.

The global community must also take a firm stance against any nation that considers the use of biological weapons. Such actions are a threat not only to specific nations but to humanity as a whole. The potential misuse of biological research, especially in states with significant religious and geopolitical stakes, must be condemned unequivocally.

Conclusion

Israel’s non-ratification of the Biological Weapons Convention, coupled with its advanced research into diseases like monkeypox, creates a troubling ambiguity that must be addressed. As a religious state, Israel carries the weight of historical and scriptural precedents that could be misinterpreted in ways that justify the use of biological agents against enemies. The hypothetical scenario involving U.S. support for Israel amidst concerns of biological weapon capabilities underscores the urgent need for transparency. The potential for genetic targeting and covert introduction of viruses further exacerbates these concerns. It is imperative that Israel ratifies the BWC and commits to peaceful diplomatic solutions in its dealings with neighboring nations. The world must hold all nations accountable to the highest standards of ethical conduct in biological research, ensuring that the future of global health and security is one of cooperation, transparency, and peace.

References

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2. Rosenthal, J. "Dual-Use Research of Concern: Controlling Information with the Potential to Harm." Science & Technology Studies, vol. 30, no. 3, 2017.
3. Ministry of Health Israel. "Monkeypox: Guidance and Information." Available at: https://www.health.gov.il/Monkeypox
4. World Health Organization. "Monkeypox." Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
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7. "Torah Passages on Plagues." Hebrew Bible, various translations.
8. The Holy Bible, Exodus 9:14 (English Standard Version).
9. The Holy Bible, Deuteronomy 28:21 (New International Version).
10. "U.S. Congressional Support for Netanyahu and Potential Implications." The Jerusalem Post, 2024. Available at: https://www.jpost.com/Netanyahu-supporters
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12. McGill, S. "Covert Operations and Biological