irosie91, et al,
You may be close, but not that early.
(COMMENT)Israel has had nukes for 50 years and never used either the nukes or radioactive materials in war-----(disclaimer -----I am just guessing)
The Israeli Nuclear Program has it roots that stretch back to before the country was formed. And after WWII, many believe that the French had help from scientist (from the newly formed Israel) in the construction of the G-1 reactor and UP-1 plant (one for plutonium production and one for reprocessing) at Marcoule Nuclear Site (South-Central France). In the early 1950's, the Israeli scientist had found low grade Uranium near Beersheba, (North of Dimona in the Negev Desert). Additionally, America, under the Atoms for Peace program, gave Heavy Water for the Israeli research reactor at Soreq (15km West of Jerusalem). In 1958, the French secretly began to build an El-102 Reactor in Dimona for the Israelis.
In 1960, the French and Israelis conduct a joint above ground nuclear weapons test in Algeria (Sahara Desert). Then, sometime between 1962 and 1965, 200 pounds of highly enriched uranium disappeared from the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation fuel rod fabrication plant in Apollo, PA. In Intelligence & Security circles it is known as the "Apollo Affair;" and it was commonly believed it went to Israel.
It is believed that the Israelis had a working Nuclear Weapon (one, possibly two) (non-production models) at the outset of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War; built with US enriched uranium. And thus, the reason for the USS Liberty (Navy Technical Research - Intelligence Ship) off the coast. The US was concerned that the Israelis might actually use the weapon.
After the '67 War, Moshe Dayan, approves the formal production program and the Israeli Nuclear Weapons and Research Program goes into a highly accelerated mode.
Most Respectfully,
R
There's a lot of "it is believed" stuff in your post, Rocco. Do you at least have a source for it?