Kennedy wanted twice-yearly U.S. visits to Dimona to confirm it was not making weapons. U.S. intelligence estimated that by the mid-1960s the reactor could produce enough plutonium for “one or two weapons a year.” [1]
His letter of 15 June 1963 warned that U.S. “commitment and support” could be “seriously jeopardized” without satisfactory visits. Ben-Gurion resigned the same day and the letter was never formally delivered. A nearly identical letter went to Levi Eshkol on 5 July. Eshkol took seven weeks to answer, and on 19 August agreed to visits. Kennedy thanked him on 26 August. [1][2]
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