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How Netanyahu sidelined Peres’ vision for peace

By naming Israel’s nuclear facility after Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignores his peacemaking efforts to position himself as heir to Peres' security legacy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opens the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office moments after he was informed about a shooting attack in Jerusalem October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool  - RTSRFJT
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On the morning of Oct. 9, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his weekly Cabinet meeting by announcing to his ministers that the nuclear research facility in Dimona would be named after Israel’s ninth president, the late Shimon Peres. “He was very active in establishing this important project for Israel’s security for generations, and I think that it’s appropriate and right to name the compound after him,” said Netanyahu in explaining his decision. Its implementation is already underway.

As director general of the Defense Ministry at only 29 year of age, Peres was the motivating force leading to the construction of the Dimona reactor in the 1950s. The facility was shrouded in mystery for years. Under the watchful eye of the military censor, it was referred to as a “textile factory.” As Netanyahu noted, the reactor has in fact been an important component in Israel’s security for generations. According to foreign sources, it has given Israel nuclear weapons capabilities. It is, therefore, an important component of the country’s approach to security and its ability to defend itself.

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