Israel researched ‘dirty bombs’
Detonations in Negev Desert to determine effects
JERUSALEM • Israel built and exploded “dirty bombs,” explosives laced with nuclear material, to examine how such explosions would affect the country if it were to be attacked by the crude radioactive weapons, Haaretz newspaper reported Monday.
Israeli defence officials and scientists refused to comment on the report. However, Israel has what is widely considered to be an extensive nuclear weapons program it has never declared.
The Haaretz report, which included photographs, said the project conducted 20 detonations with explosives laced with a radioactive substance. Mini-drones measured radiation levels and sensors logged the force of the explosions.
Researchers told the newspaper the Israeli tests were for defensive purposes only. They said high radiation was found at the centre of blasts while small particles carried by wind didn’t pose serious danger, except for the psychological effect of such an attack.
The newspaper said the project, code-named “Green Field” and conducted by staff from Israel’s nuclear reactor in the southern town of Dimona, ended in 2014 after four years. Most tests were conducted in the Negev Desert and one in a closed facility.
Another experiment, “Red House,” tested the conse-
Small particles carried by wind didn’t pose serious danger
quences of a radiological substance left in a crowded area without being detonated, the newspaper said. Israeli officials reportedly put a radioactive material mixed with water in the ventilation system of a building that simulated a shopping mall.
Scientists found such an attack would be ineffective as a majority of the radiation remains in air conditioning filters. Results of the experiments were presented at unspecified scientific forums.
Meanwhile, the European Union Monday told Iran to cooperate with a stalled United Nations probe of suspicions that it worked on atomic arms if the country wants a nuclear deal that will see removal of sanctions.
The cautionary EU statement comes before a June 30 target date for such an agreement. Iran has fended off demands by the International Atomic Energy Agency for cooperation with its investigation.