MembersFrom Nuclear Visionary to Visionary for Peace

Or the avoidance of threats? Shimon Peres, one of the country’s greatest visionaries, died in September at the age of 93. He boldly realized one of his dreams, but utterly failed to achieve the other.

Often more popular abroad than he was at home, Israel’s visionary for peace was a dreamer, but he was also a realist. Above all, he was concerned with Israel’s survival, and will by some be most remembered as the father of our nuclear program.

It was Shimon Peres who in the 1950s, in spite of massive opposition, pushed through the construction of the nuclear reactor in Dimona. In recent days more and more details have come to light as to the extent of the opposition with which he had to contend, even from Israel’s own leadership. Military officials, government ministers, leading politicians (apart from David Ben Gurion) and even Israel’s scientists were united in opposing the expensive implementation of the nuclear program.