Israel & the Bomb,

Cohen has produced another rich historical narrative that functions as a readily accessible page-turner.–Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs

For anyone interested in the never-ending struggles in the Middle East and life on the edge in the nuclear age, this book is a must-read.–Miami Herald

… Avner Cohen’s book stands in a class of its own. It is the first scholarly study of the history of this project, it is richly documented, and it unveils some of the major mysteries surrounding events by tapping a large body of previously untouched sources…. It can only be assumed that when this national mood of ‘nuclear’ ignorance changes, Cohen’s book will serve as a solid foundation for this debate.–Uri Bar-Joseph “Jewish History “

Israel and the Bomb should be required reading for those interested in nuclear issues in general and in the complexities of the American-Israeli relationship in particular. For American decision makers, the book should serve as an invaluable case-study of how not to deal with future instances of nuclear proliferation–Michael Rubner “Middle East Policy “

A compelling and comprehensive account of the development of what he calls Israel’s doctrine of ‘nuclear opacity.’–Paul C. Warnke, former Assistant Secretary of Defense

A scholarly treatise that includes over 1,200 footnotes, yet reads like a novel…. [Cohen] analyzes in rich detail how this policy of ‘nuclear opacity’ evolved and what made it possible.–Lawrence Kolb “New York Times Book Review “

Cohen’s book hits nations sensitivity.–Dan Ephron “Washington Times “

Cohen’s work will necessitate the rewriting of Israel’s history, wars, international relations, domestic political crises, economy, psychology, national pride–everything will have to be viewed in a different light.–Tom Segev “Ha’aretz “

This important volume deserves the attention of Middle East scholars and students of foreign policy, nuclear proliferation, and Israeli politics.–A.R. Norton “Choice “

Ha’aretz Editorial, September 6, 1998,
The following is an editorial, published under the title “Knowledge adn the Nuclear Program” in the Israeli daily Ha’aretz on September 6, 1998, in connection with the publication of “Israel and the Bomb.” This is a remarkable editorial and I think it merits the attention of readers, especially non-Israelis. It hints at the special circumstances involved in writing this book.

Sunday, September 6, 1998  

Knowledge and the nuclear program

  Israeli journalists and researchers who have attempted to publicize details of Israel’s nuclear programs run up against the reinforced wall of military censorship, forcing them to confront a dilemma: to give up completely on the idea of publication, or to make do with fuzzy formulations and quotes from foreign sources.

Dr. Avner Cohen chose a different route, publishing his book “Israel and the Bomb” in the United States without submitting it to the Israeli censor. The book documents Israel’s nuclear project from its inception in the 1950s until after the Six-Day War in 1967, when the author says Israel had nuclear weapons capabilities and the United States recognized that Israel had crossed the nuclear threshold.

The security forces, and especially the head of security for the defense establishment, attempted unsuccessfully for several years to stop the book from being published. Cohen received both direct and indirect messages that persisting with his research and publication could land him in trouble with the law. Cohen decided to continue, turning himself into a type of political refugee. He settled in the United States and avoids returning to Israel.

Cohen is not Mordechai Vanunu, who revealed classified information obtained while working at the Dimona reactor and was convicted of treason. Cohen is an academic researcher whose work is based on the accepted tools of historical research: unclassified archive documents, previous publications and interviews with individuals who for the most part are speaking on the record – including past heads of the nuclear program. In his book, he gathers available information on one of the most important chapters in the history of Israel. It concentrates on the past without disclosing classified details about Israel’s current nuclear capabilities.

For many years Israel has maintained a policy of “nuclear ambiguity,” according to which it would neither openly declare its nuclear capabilities nor introduce nuclear weapons into the region. The ambiguity was reinforced in an understanding with the United States, according to which as long as Israel maintained its restraint Washington would not pressure Israel to dismantle its nuclear capability.

The head of military security and the military censor believe that their duty is to enforce the ambiguity. They claim that Israeli publications about the nuclear program, even by independent journalists and researchers, would be interpreted as a confirmation of what has been widely reported everywhere else – that Israel has a long-range program for the development and manufacture of nuclear weapons. This is known throughout the world, but publishing it in Israel could, according to the security authorities, erode the ambiguity and lead to pressure from the U.S. Congress to dismantle Israel’s deterrent ability and to stop military and economic aid.

Such fears seem overstated. The time has come to take a mature look at and hold public debate on the nuclear program, which in the past was considered the Holy of Holies of security. Such a debate could take place under state security limitations; there is no need to shake the foundations of Israeli policy. The nuclear ambiguity is based on the policies and actions of the government, and not on censoring the journalistic and academic publications. Clinging to the tradition of secrecy and confidentiality may have been appropriate for the early years of the state, but today it prevents a public debate on a central, vital issue and harms freedom of expression and research.

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