[kinsomo]

> Underdogs with nuclear weapons?

For most of their existence their much larger Arab neighbors (who had the backing of a superpower) had the explicit and oft-stated goal of destroying Israel. Those weren't idle threats: several wars were fought under that banner, one of which was almost successful.

While they currently have a somewhat more secure position, due to peace treaties. They remain unpopular, and a governmental change or revolution could easily put them under intense threat again.