Dimona

Despite Israeli denials, U-2 flights in 1958 reported the existence of the massive Dimona nuclear facility confirming CIA fears that the Israeli government was reprocessing high level nuclear fuel into weapons grade plutonium.

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012

Kennedy continued to push for a specific schedule of inspections stressing the importance that "our scientists have access to all areas of the Dimona site... such as fuel fabrication facilities or plutonium separation plant, and that sufficient time to be allotted for a thorough examination."

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012

In that same letter, Kennedy suggested that "I see no present or imminent nuclear threat to Israel from there" and further that "Egyptians do not presently have any installation comparable to Dimona, nor any facilities potentially capable of nuclear weapons production."

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012

In that same letter, Kennedy suggested that "I see no present or imminent nuclear threat to Israel from there" and further that "Egyptians do not presently have any installation comparable to Dimona, nor any facilities potentially capable of nuclear weapons production."

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012

In that same letter, Kennedy suggested that "I see no present or imminent nuclear threat to Israel from there" and further that "Egyptians do not presently have any installation comparable to Dimona, nor any facilities potentially capable of nuclear weapons production."

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012

America's last president to not be intimidated by Israel's aggressive posture, Kennedy followed up in a July 5, 1963 letter to newly elected PM Eshkol with stronger and more insistent language including "visits should be... in accord with international standards, thereby resolving all doubts as to the peaceful intent of the Dimona project."

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012

In that same letter, Kennedy suggested that "I see no present or imminent nuclear threat to Israel from there" and further that "Egyptians do not presently have any installation comparable to Dimona, nor any facilities potentially capable of nuclear weapons production."

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012

The planned closing of Israel's nuclear plant near Dimona this month, which was reported in Israeli media, sounded alarms in Washington, where officials feared it meant Israel was repositioning its own nuclear assets to safeguard them against a potential Iranian counterstrike.

U.S. Warns Israel on Strike Adam Entous 2012

Despite Israeli denials, U-2 flights in 1958 reported the existence of the massive Dimona nuclear facility confirming CIA fears that the Israeli government was reprocessing high level nuclear fuel into weapons grade plutonium.

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012

America's last president to not be intimidated by Israel's aggressive posture, Kennedy followed up in a July 5, 1963 letter to newly elected PM Eshkol with stronger and more insistent language including "visits should be... in accord with international standards, thereby resolving all doubts as to the peaceful intent of the Dimona project."

Renee Parsons: Looking at Israel's Nuclear History as US Sabers Rattle Renee Parsons 2012