16.03.2026 01:21
It has been alleged that Germany financed Israel's nuclear reactor project through secret channels for 12 years starting from 1961.
In a research news report by Israel's Haaretz newspaper regarding the related reports, it was stated that the Dimona nuclear reactor project in the Negev Desert was largely financed by German taxpayers between 1961 and 1973, contrary to popular belief.
FUNDS PROVIDED BY GERMANY TO ISRAEL EVERY YEAR
The report indicated that the foundation of this financing was laid in 1957, during a period when Israel made agreements to purchase a nuclear reactor from France and nuclear cooperation between the two countries strengthened.
The report highlighted that the security relations between Germany and Israel began with secret negotiations, emphasizing that a meeting in 1960 between then German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion in New York City was a turning point in the development of security and financial cooperation between the two countries.
According to the report, as a result, the Adenauer government provided funds to Israel every year through "secret channels" during the period from 1961 to 1973.
EICHMANN'S TRIAL IN ISRAEL
The report noted that in May 1960, when Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion announced that Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann would be tried in Israel, the process of the "secret agreement" reached with West Germany became complicated due to fears of the emergence of former Nazis like Hans Globke in Adenauer's government.
The report recorded that steps were taken, such as Globke communicating to the Israelis that credit and arms agreements would be implemented after the trial process was completed, and a special representative sent by Adenauer to Israel warning Ben-Gurion to ensure Globke's name was not mentioned in the process.
Although the pressure from Germany on this issue remains unclear, the report pointed out that Globke's name was mentioned very little during Eichmann's trial process, and it was stated that shortly before a decision was reached in Eichmann's case, Germany made its first payment to Israel in December 1961. According to documents in Germany, 629.4 million marks were gradually paid to Israel from 1961 to 1965.
The report mentioned that Adenauer's successor, Ludwig Erhard, stated that the agreements made in March 1960 were not binding because they were not discussed by the government and did not receive parliamentary approval. Subsequently, it was noted that the processes regarding the transfer of money to Israel were reviewed, but 160 million marks were paid to Israel in 1966 and 1967, and 140 million marks were paid each year until 1973.
It was recorded that there are no Israeli documents regarding the actual implementation of the credit provided by Germany for the "development of the Negev-based project," so it could not be definitively stated that Germany financed the Dimona project.
However, the report emphasized that although some of the money may have been used for other projects, it is likely that the saved funds were used to cover the costs of the nuclear reactor.
PURPOSE OF FUNDS PROVIDED BY GERMANY
The report stated that Ben-Gurion's successor, former Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, expressed in a closed party meeting in 1964 that the cost of Israel's missile project, seen as part of the Dimona initiative, could be between 200 and 250 million dollars over approximately 4 years.
On the other hand, it was noted in the report that no explanation was provided by the bank in Germany regarding the purpose of the funds paid to Israel, and it was assessed that Germany had no justification for concealing the purpose of providing this fund other than financing the Dimona project.
REPAYMENT OBLIGATION REMOVED
The report stated that the funds, currently valued at approximately 5 billion euros, were used to finance the work carried out within the scope of the Dimona nuclear reactor project.
It was recorded that the financing was secretly transferred by being shown as "money transfers resulting from agreements with unidentified developing countries" through Germany's state development bank in Frankfurt, without a formal agreement being made.
The report mentioned that with an agreement made in 1989, the repayment obligation was removed, and these funds were effectively converted into a grant, claiming that a significant portion of Israel's nuclear program was financed through German taxpayers' resources rather than Israeli taxpayers or private donations.
DOLPHIN CLASS SUBMARINE
Additionally, it was stated in the report that in response to the firing of Scud missiles during the Gulf War in 1991, Germany financed the production of Dolphin-class submarines, which are claimed to have the capacity to carry nuclear warheads for Tel Aviv, as "compensation" for Israel's reaction.
The report assessed that, unlike the "special relationship" between the U.S. and Israel, which is based on conventional arms assistance, it can be said that Germany has taken on the financing of a significant portion of Israel's nuclear capacity.
Furthermore, the report noted that it is difficult for Israel to bear the financial burden of its nuclear capacity without Germany's support in its annual budget.