Leaked Cables on Israel: Senator Mathias, Yigal Allon & Israel's Nuclear Capability

FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV
TO SECSTATE WASHDC

S E C R E T

SUBJ: ISRAELI NUCLEAR CAPABILITY

SENATOR MATHIAS TOLD US THAT HE HAD RAISED DIMONA AND ISRAELI NUCLEAR CAPABILITY WITH FOREIGN MINISTER ALLON IN A PRIVATE CONVERSATION. ALLON REPLIED THAT ISRAEL HAD THE CAPABILITY TO MANUFACTURE NUCLEAR WEAPONS. HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT GOI DID NOT CURRENTLY POSSESS NUCLEAR WEAPONS, NOR DID IT INTEND TO MANUFACTURE THEM. SENATOR MATHIAS THEN NOTED THAT ISRAEL'S REFUSAL TO SIGN THE NPT AND THE SECRECY SURROUNDING ITS NUCLEAR FACILITIES WERE A PUBLIC RELATIONS PROBLEM FOR ISRAEL IN THE U.S. ALLON ACKNOWLEDGED THIS MIGHT BE THE CASE, REMARKING THAT THE GOI WOULD HAVE TO IMPROVE ITS PUBLIC INFORMATION POSTURE IN THE U.S. ON THIS SUBJECT.

SECRET

Sources: Wikileaks