Israel's Nuclear Weapons Program

Question 1

Israel’s Independence

Answer 1

1948: Israel gained independence, PM David Ben-Gurion decided that I needed NWs due to concern about neighbouring nations, assigned Deputy Defense Minister Shimon Peres to oversee the NP, purchased uranium from F who also assisted in developing the Negev Nuclear Research Centre, recruited Ernst David Bergmann who became the first chairman of I’s AEC and head of Ministry of Defense’s Armaments and Development Authority

Question 2

USA and Israel

Answer 2

1958: American satellites spotted the Centre and suggested that it was being used for NEs, John F Kennedy tried to exert pressure on I to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear capability (since this was during the Cold War and USA was concerned that Arab nations would side with Soviets), I allowed American inspections in 1961-62 which concluded that the facility was being used peacefully and that it wasn’t capable of developing NWs, revealed later that the NW facility was underground

Question 3

Nuclear Developments

Answer 3

1965: underground facility was completed and I began developing NWs; 1967: believed to have developed its first NW; 1968: decided not to sign the NPT or ever

Question 4

Policy of Nuclear Ambiguity

Answer 4

late 1960s: every I gov’t has practised a policy of nuclear ambiguity which is the deliberate obscurement of its possession of NWs, policy was used to maintain a monopoly over NWs within the region as transparency would enable neighbouring countries to start developing NW capability

Question 5

Attack on Iraq’s Osirak Reactor

Answer 5

Jun 17, 1981: I PM authorized the bombing of Iraq’s Osirak Reactor using aircraft supplied by USA as I was concerned that the facility would gain a capability to develop NWs

Question 6

Mordechai Vanunu Case

Answer 6

1986: Vanunu worked at the Centre for 8 years and did an interview with B press and provided pics and info of the nuclear facility, brought back to I, tried, and convicted of reason and espionage