Prof. Uzi Even, one of the founders of the nuclear reactor in Dimona, called on the government to shut it down after numerous faults had been discovered in its core and its mantle. Prof. Even told israel Radio on Tuesday that the Dimona reactor has completed its mission and is no longer needed. He added that he had been warning for a long time that the reactor, which has been in operation for 53 years and could be the oldest operating reactor in the world, must follow the example of its contemporary facilities, in keeping with international safety rules.
But Even pointed out that the Dimona reactor is much smaller than the failed reactors in Chernobyl and Fukushima. According to him, even if the Dimona reactor springs a leak, the resulting damage would be minimal.
According to Ha’aretz, citing a research work that was presented in a Tel Aviv conference this month, an ultrasound examination has discovered 1,537 faults in the reactor’s metal core, which are being monitored continuously by scientists. Other topics that were discussed by the same researchers were ways to protect the reactors against earthquakes and missile attacks.