Israel Carried Out Nuclear Test In 1979
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Courtesy Of: SpaceWar.con
May 19, 2006

Jerusalem (AFP)--Israel and South Africa carried out a nuclear test on an offshore platform in the Northern Antarctic in 1979, according to a newly disclosed US document, Yediot Aharonot Newspaper said Friday.

The document, released at the request of the Security Studies at Gerogetown University in Washington, says a mystery explosion detected on September 22, 1979 by a US Satellite was a nuclear test.

Prepared for the White House in December 1979, it said Israel and South Africa, then under Apartheid rule, were cooperating on military issues, including nuclear research.

US Intelligence Services reported in 1990 that South Africa was producing nuclear weapons, while Israel is estimated to possess 200 nuclear warheads, although it has never confirmed or denied holding such weapons.

South Africa later dismantled its nuclear weapons program under UN supervision.

Source:
http://spacewar.com/2006/060519124911.ffod1b4z.html