Israel has suspended almost all preparations for the establishment of a $1.3 billion nuclear power station at Nitzanim, south of Tel Aviv.
The decision was taken following a demand by the United States that Israel sign the international treaty against the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The U.S. announced it would not finance the project, unless Israel signed the treaty.
Israel’s refusal to sign the non-proliferation treaty has been the subject of disagreements with the U.S. for several years. Recently the U.S. refused to provide Israel with the necessary plans to operate such a station. Israel refuses to sign the treaty because it would mean international supervision over all nuclear installations in the country, including the nuclear plant in Dimona.
Israel has already invested some IL 170 million ($10 million) in the project. The amount allocated for the development in this year’s budget was cut almost completely. No funds have been allocated in next year’s budget. The station was originally planned to be completed in 1985.
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