Safe for use? Nuclear reactor in Dimona
Photo: AFP
'Nuclear reactor safe’
Strict safety standards maintained at secret facility, Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Shteinitz says following visit to Dimona
DIMONA - Great efforts are being invested to ensure the safety and reliability of the nuclear reactor in Dimona, Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Yuval Shteinitz says.
Shteinitz reached his conclusion after touring the facility along with Knesset Members Amram Mitzna and Arieh Eldad Sunday.
Meanwhile, Yachad Knesset Member Zahava Gal-On says the visit was too short to justify such confident statements.
The tour aimed to provide visiting Knesset members with a closer look at safety, maintenance, and security procedures adopted at the facility. During the visit, the parliamentarians also met with reactor engineers, technicians, and other officials.
At the visitors’ request, reactor officials presented the activation mechanisms and backup systems designed for addressing various scenarios, including an earthquake.
‘Safety measures exceed international standards’
“I view the visit at the reactor with great importance,” Shteinitz said following the tour. “It’s important that Israel’s citizens know that parliamentary supervision of the highest standards exists.”
“The Knesset members were impressed by the great effort invested in the reactor’s safety and reliability,” the three visitors said in a statement. “(The reactor) is operated in a manner that matches or exceeds acceptable Western standards.”
Knesset Member Gal-On, however, slammed the committee for “ruling the reactor was safe after one visit.”
“How is it possible that following a visit of several hours, rather than an in-depth, comprehensive investigation, the committee decides that everything is in order with a reactor that is more than 40 years old?” she said.
