Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

ISRAEL DISCLOSES ITS NUCLEAR OPTION
MENL ^ | 11/03/2001 | MENL

Posted on 11/03/2001 3:21:38 AM PST by CommiesOut

ISRAEL DISCLOSES ITS NUCLEAR OPTION

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- For the first time, Israel has allowed an open discussion of its nuclear program.

The discussion is contained in a new documentary on Israel's nuclear capability. It is the first time the government has allowed the production and airing of such a program.

In contrast to previous documentaries on the subject produced abroad, Israeli leaders agreed to be interviewed. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres reviewed the history of Israel's nuclear program and its cooperation with France in the 1950s and 1960s.

Neither Peres nor any other Israeli official acknowledges that the Jewish state has nuclear weapons. Previous assessments have asserted that Israel has up to 200 nuclear warheads.

The documentary, "A Bomb in the Basement ­ Israel’s Nuclear Option," was produced in France, Israel and the United States and quotes former U.S. officials recalling Washington's opposition to Israel's nuclear program. The documentary will be aired in Israel on Sunday.

"We thought it was a mistake on Israel’s part to develop nuclear weapons," Paul Warnke, former chief U.S. arms control negotiator, said.

The screening of the documentary comes amid Israel's quiet debate on increasing its nuclear deterrence in face of Iran's development of atomic weapons. Former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has privately urged a change in Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity once Iran is assessed at having a nuclear weapon, expected as early as 2004.

France supplied most of the components and technology for Israel's nuclear program. The French secretly constructed the nuclear reactor in Dimona, which remains off-limits to international inspection. The project was supervised by French Atomic Energy Commission director Francois Perrin.

"Francois Perrin called [then-French Prime Minister] Guy Mollet the day after my visit and told him that Israel should be supplied with a nuclear bomb," former French defense official Abel Thomas said. "That's how it was."

The documentary quotes what it termed foreign sources as saying that Israel declared a nuclear alert three times in its history. The sources said that during the 1970s, Israel built three to five atom bombs annually and today has an arsenal of at least 200 nuclear weapons.

The film quotes military analyst and commentaror Ze’ev Schiff as saying that he was the only journalist allowed to tour the Dimona nuclear facility.



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220221-235 next last
To: Patria One
You finally used the phrase "Zionist" as though a persecuted people (the ones the PLO wants to push "into the sea..") had no right to their very existence. Thanks for showing your true colors.
201 posted on 11/16/2001 1:24:11 PM PST by WALLACE212
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 177 | View Replies]

To: WALLACE212
Zionism isn't Judiasm but it is a most unhealthy self-destructive political movement.
202 posted on 11/16/2001 1:24:22 PM PST by Patria One
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 201 | View Replies]

To: struwwelpeter
bttt
203 posted on 12/04/2001 9:58:34 PM PST by timestax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: tm22721
"Frankly every nation should be encouraged to have nukes just as every person should carry a gun.
Makes you think twice about mistreating your neighbor."

So your basic theory is "An Armed planet is a POLITE planet". Am I right here?

204 posted on 12/04/2001 10:03:47 PM PST by Billy_bob_bob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: timestax
sacrificing ones own children is the greatest evil before G-d, so the Amelekites had to be destroyed.
205 posted on 12/04/2001 10:37:55 PM PST by Optimist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 197 | View Replies]

To: Uprise
Lets nuke a billion Muslims to make it safe for 3 million Jews to occupy Palestine

-Those 3 million are our friends. The billion are enimies cheering at 5000 of our own dead

206 posted on 12/04/2001 10:44:36 PM PST by College Repub
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: College Repub
sad, but true!!
207 posted on 12/04/2001 10:47:31 PM PST by timestax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 206 | View Replies]

To: Optimist
yeah, but the Amalekites and their cattle were NOT destroyed, and now they are a thorn in the side of Israel.
208 posted on 12/05/2001 6:15:45 PM PST by timestax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 205 | View Replies]

To: hove
bump
209 posted on 12/06/2001 1:57:27 PM PST by timestax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: hove
bump to the top for newbies coming aboard!!!
210 posted on 12/06/2001 1:58:02 PM PST by timestax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Patria One
I just hope that educated Americans were less prone to propaganda efforts than the poor and ignorant Afghanis that OBL is jerking around.

We are ... that is why most of us don't listen to your Jew hating terrorist loving Bravo Sierra

211 posted on 12/06/2001 2:15:28 PM PST by clamper1797
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: CommiesOut
I am reminded of an old Tom Leher (spelling?) song entitled 'The Bomb':

We got the bomb and this was good,

cause we love peace and motherhood.

Then russia got the bomb, but thats ok,

the balance of power's maintained that way.

WHO'S NEXT??

France got the bomb, but don't you agree,

They're on our side... I believe?

China got the bomb, but have no fear,

they can't wipe us out for at least five years.

WHO'S NEXT??

Egypt's gonna get one, too,

just to use on you-know-who.

Sooooo, Israel's getting tense,

wants one in self defense.

'The Lord's our Shepherd', says the Psalm,

But just in case, we're gonna get a bomb!

WHO'S NEXT??

Luxemburg was next to go,

and who knows, maybe Monico.

We'll all try to stay serene and calm,

when Alabama gets the bomb.

212 posted on 12/06/2001 2:32:42 PM PST by Magnum44
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Magnum44
Oh man... I'm gonna steal your song. Period!
213 posted on 12/06/2001 3:35:36 PM PST by CommiesOut
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 212 | View Replies]

To: bulldog905
bttt
214 posted on 12/07/2001 10:27:20 PM PST by timestax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: gedeon3
bumpity upity
215 posted on 12/08/2001 12:25:39 PM PST by timestax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Patria One
Patria One="No current FReeper by that name"

Wore out your wafer-thin welcome, apparently.

216 posted on 12/08/2001 12:30:11 PM PST by Kevin Curry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 202 | View Replies]

Comment #217 Removed by Moderator

Comment #218 Removed by Moderator

To: Patria One
Israel is not the threat to the Christians in the Middle East. It is Islam.
219 posted on 12/08/2001 12:51:35 PM PST by LadyForLiberty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: CommiesOut
"We thought it was a mistake on Israel’s part to develop nuclear weapons," Paul Warnke, former chief U.S. arms control negotiator, said.

That's pretty disappointing considering I feel it is a foregone conclusion that without the nuclear threat, Israel would have been attacked much more by now.

220 posted on 12/08/2001 1:11:38 PM PST by agrace
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220221-235 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson