Israel threatens regional peace too

The UAE hopes the standoff between Iran and the West over Tehran's nuclear programme will be resolved diplomatically, without the need to resort to additional sanctions against the Islamic republic or, worse, military action.

However, according to Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE will "respect international sanctions" against Iran, if the crisis is not solved diplomatically. All countries are bound to respect United Nations resolutions.

The ball then is in the court of key players entangled in this issue, namely Iran and the United States.

But one really wonders why the Iran issue has become so hot with the western powers who continue to ignore other burning issues that really threaten the stability of the region. Israel continues to defy international law and resolutions by expanding Jewish colonies in Occupied East Jerusalem. Isn't it time to consider sanctions against Israel?

An Iran with nuclear weapons will inflame tension and threaten stability in the region. That nevertheless remains a possibility. But Israel's current actions are a clear and present danger to peace and prosperity in the Middle East. Are the western powers doing anything about it? Apparently not. Double standards again? Sure. But this time it is reaching a serious and risky level.