(MENAFN- Alghad Newspaper)
News of postponing works at the Dimona nuclear plant in the Negev area, south of Palestine, so close to inhabited Jordanian territories, is worrying. The report, by AlGhad's correspondent in Palestine, Barhoum Jaraisi, indicates that the Israeli authorities intent to push back the plant's rehabilitation another 20 years. This means that it will be 80 years old by the time they get to it.
Dimona's nuclear plant has always been considered a threat to the residents of the area, both in Palestine and Jordan, given the obsolete technology and age of the reactor, built in 1956.
Jordanian media often brought up the issue, and often official reports would confirm that radiation levels in the south Jordanian areas are well within the natural range. Still, there are those who say otherwise.
Israeli news and reports indicate that the reactor is nearing its threshold caps, which may lead to a meltdown.
Fear of another Chernobyl catastrophe is rising among Israeli technicians and scientists, as more ominous reports keep coming in. The latest, in March, says there have been 1,537 errors detected in the reactor's core. A resident nuclear scientist at the reactor has called for its immediate shutdown, according to Israeli media. He also underlined the fact that most of the plants from Dimona's generation have actually been closed shut around the world!
Notably, had it not been for the Israeli government's response to the inquiry by an Israeli member of Knesset on the matter, we would not have found out about the 20-year extension.
Nothing in Israeli reports backs the assumption that the reactor is safe and there is no reason to trust these assumptions. No one beyond the Israelis in charge, as far as we can tell, knows the exact operational condition of the plant, as the scientists themselves have been calling for its shutdown.
Obviously, they have solid doubts about these assumptions and so should we!
It is not just Palestine and the Palestinians who face the possible threat of a nuclear catastrophe, but Jordanians too. Vast parts of the Kingdom's south central and southern provinces are well within the blast and contamination ranges of the reactor!
We must know the truth about the reactor and its situation.
Jordan must spare no diplomatic effort to pressure the Israeli government into allowing an independent, international inspection of the plant and its facilities. In fact, Jordan must endeavour tirelessly to shut the reactor down and demand guarantees for the safety of the surrounding areas, at least for the short-term.
Honestly, we have no idea how we intend to invest in joint water and energy projects in an area that is under threat of a nuclear catastrophe and contamination!
Global organisations have cited worrying radioactive leaks in the area surround the plant. The residents of nearby areas have often called for the shutdown of the reactor as well.
Until this very day, Israel has denied proprietorship of any nuclear weapons, despite being the only nuclear state in the Middle East.
It is the only state that receives significant preferential treatment, worldwide, in various regards, placing it above the law. Its military and civil facilities do not undergo any international inspections, nor is Israeli obligated to abide by the decisions of the Security Council, unlike many other countries around the world!
Now, in light of the growing concern of a nuclear threat to the lives of millions in the region, things must change.
Not once did Israel offer or extent any guarantees of the safety of its nuclear operations.
In fact, its authorities deny the reports of their own experts.
That said, the least Jordan can do is go to the specialised international organisations to make sure we avoid an imminent nuclear catastrophe, as it is our right to do so.
This article is an edited translation of the Arabic version, published by AlGhad.
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