Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

April 1948
David Ben-Gurion writes a letter to Ehud Avriel, a Jewish Agency operative in Europe, telling him to seek out and recruit East European Jewish scientists who can "either increase the capacity to kill masses or to cure masses."
--Avner Cohen, "Israel and Chemical/Biological Weapons: History, Deterrence, and Arms Control," The Nonproliferation Review, Fall-Winter 2001, Vol. 8, No. 3, p. 27.

1952
The Science Corps (HEMED) becomes part of a group of Ministry of Defense (MOD) sponsored civilian research centers that are known as "Machons." Through this, Professor Ernst David Bergmann, a member of a group of scientists who pressured Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to establish a chemical and biological weapons program, establishes both the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) and the Israeli Institute of Biological Research (IIBR).
--Avner Cohen, "Israel and Chemical/Biological Weapons: History, Deterrence, and Arms Control," The Nonproliferation Review, Fall-Winter 2001, Vol. 8, No. 3, p. 33.

1955
Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion launches a project to develop a "cheap non-conventional capability." Ben-Gurion orders that this capability be operational as soon as possible and before a war with Egypt.
--Aluf Benn, "The project that Preceded the Nuclear Option," Ha'aretz, 2 March 1995.

Mid 1950's
Israel initiates it chemical weapons program.
--Avner Cohen, "Israel and Chemical/Biological Weapons: History, Deterrence, and Arms Control," The Nonproliferation Review, Fall-Winter 2001, Vol. 8, No. 3, p. 38.

1960
Israel collaborates with France on upgrading its chemical weapons. Israeli scientists make visits to the French chemical weapons testing site located at Beni Ounif, which is located in the Algerian Sahara.
--Seymour Hersh, The Samson Option, (NY: Random House, 1991), p. 64.

Mid 1960's
Israel upgrades its offensive chemical weapons capability in suspecting Egyptian chemical weapons advancements.
--Seymour Hersh, The Samson Option, (Random House, 1991), p. 63.

20 February 1969
Israel accedes to the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which bans the use of chemical weapons in war.

1970's
Production of indigenous mustard and nerve agents begins.
--"China and Israel," Economist Foreign Report, 12 July 1984.

1974
U.S. Lieutenant General E.H. Almquist tells the Senate Armed Forces Committee that Israel's chemical weapons program is operational.
--E.J. Hogendoorn, "A Chemical Weapons Atlas," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, September/October 1997, available online at <http://www.thebulletin.org/issues/1997/so97hogendoom.html>, accessed on 10/11/03.

1 July 1982
A commentary by the Soviet newswire TASS, states that reports from Beirut have stated that Israel is using chemical weapons including BZ nerve gas [sic.] in its invasion of Lebanon.
--"Alleged use of Nerve Gas in Lebanon," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 3 July 1982.

5 July 1982
The Soviet Union accuses the United States of providing Israel with 'barbarous' weapons. It states that these weapons, which include napalm, chemical weapons, and cluster and pellet bombs, are used in the Israel invasion of Lebanon.
--"Moscow Scores U.S. Role in Mideast," United Press International, 5 July 1982.

30 August 1983
A commentary written by Viktor Vinogradov for the Soviet Defense Ministry daily 'Krasnaya Zvezda' states that Israel and South Africa are working together on chemical weapons at a research institute operated by the South African Air Force.
--"RSA-Israeli Research on Racially Selective Mass Destruction Weapons," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 1 September 1983.

15 September 1988
The Korean Committee for Asian-African Cooperation in Pyongyang denounces Israel for allegedly using chemical weapons and "germ warfare" in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, killing many residents in the area.
--"Pyongyang Denounces Israel for Massacre of Palestinians," The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 15 September 1988.

4 December 1988
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) accuses the Israeli Army of using a new chemical weapon against Palestinians living in the occupied territories. According to a statement released by the group, the new chemical weapon is causing various wounds and "organic complications." The PFLP cites evidence presented by Arab doctors who have treated victims in the villages of Tobay and Tamoun, as proof the Israel is using such weapons and calls on UN Secretary General Perez de Cuellar and international organizations that defend human rights, to investigate.
--"Israeli use of Chemical Weapons against Palestinians Denounced," The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 4 December 1988.

22 December 1988
The Arab League issues a statement that Israel was the first country to introduce chemical weapons to the Middle East.
--"Libya Denies U.S. Accusation of Chemical Arms Production," The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 22 December 1988.

January-February 1989
Under increasing public pressure to respond to regional chemical weapons proliferation, Israeli officials including Binyamin Netanyahu partially admit possession of a chemical weapons program.
--Mortimer, E., "Israel Hints It Keeps Chemical Weapons as Defensive Measure," Financial Times, 10 January 1989; Arms Control Reporter, February 1989, p. 704.

6 February 1989
The League of Arab States' Committee of Seven releases a statement that criticizes Israel's repressive actions against the Palestinian uprising. It condemns among other things, Israel's use of chemical weapons against the local Palestinian population.
--"Arab League's Committee of Seven-Statement," TASS, 7 February 1989.

1990
A report by the United States Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) entitled "Offensive Chemical Warfare Programs in the Middle East," states that Israel maintains a chemical testing facility possibly in the Negev desert.
--"Chemical and Biological Weapons in the Middle East," Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 16 April 2002; Hogendoorn, E.J., "A Chemical Weapons Atlas," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, September/October 1997, <:http://www.thebulletin.org/issues/1997/so97hogendoom.html>, accessed on 10/11/03.

July 1990
Israeli Minister of Science, Yuval Ne'eman states that if Iraq uses chemical weapons Israel will retaliate "with the same merchandise." Ne'eman also proposes to the Israeli Cabinet that Israel should issue a credible chemical weapon threat in the face of the threat from Iraq's chemical weapons.
--"Israelis See Chemical Option Against Iraq," New York Times, 28 July 1990.

4 October 1992
A Boeing 747 cargo plane operated by the Israeli airline El Al crashes into the Bijlmer neighborhood in Amsterdam, Holland. It is later learned that the plane was carrying a shipment of dimethylmethylphosphonate (DMMP),a chemical used to make sarin, to Israel.
--Christopher Walker "Dutch Link Poor Health to Jet Crash," The Times, 23 April 1999; Janet McBride "El Al Crash Report Said to be Critical of Dutch PM," The Jerusalem Post, 22 April 1999, News p. 3.

November 1992
Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres states that Israel will sign the Chemical Weapons Convention.
--"Lebanon Refuses to Sign Chemical Weapons Treaty in Paris," Agence France Presse, 15 December 1992.

13 January 1993
Israel signs the Chemical Weapons Convention.

20 February 1993
The Libyan Foreign Ministry releases a statement in which it criticizes the West because "Israel's development of chemical and biological weapons is overlooked."
--"Libya Accuses West of 'Psychological Terrorism,'" The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 20 February 1993.

8 March 1993
The Arab League again rejects the Chemical Weapons Convention because it states that it cannot accept such a treaty as long as Israel still possesses chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.
--"Arab League Reiterates Rejection of Chemical Arms Ban Treaty," The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 8 March 1993.

8 November 1993
An article in the U.S. magazine Aviation Week and Space Technology, states that Russia believes that Israel possesses chemical weapons. According to the article, a Russian intelligence report states that it believes that Israel possesses indigenous chemical weapons.
--"Israeli Missile Base Hidden near Jerusalem, report," Agence France Presse, 8 November 1993.

28 January 1994
According to the book Critical Mass, authored by Williams Burrows and Robert Windrem, Israel maintains a chemical weapons factory five floors below ground at Dimona.
--George, Alan "Israel has Arsenal of 200 N-bombs," Evening Standard, 28 January 1994, p. 7.

17 April 1996
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in a speech states that Libya has the right to possess chemical weapons because Israel possesses nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. He also states that the U.S. should attack Israel because it possesses these weapons.
--"Libya is Entitled to Have Chemical Weapons, Gaddafi," Deutsche Presse Agentur, 17 April 1996; "Libya Again Denies US Allegation on Nuclear Weapon Plant," Xinhua News Agency, 17 April 1996.

6 June 1996
Egypt's state run press issues an article in which it states that "if the United States is really concerned about the issue of armament in the region, then it will have to start first with the nuclear and chemical weapons of Israel."
--"Egypt's State-run Press Accuses US of Interfering in Internal Affairs," Xinhua News Agency, 29 June 1996.

9 August 1996
The Libyan news agency JANA reports that Libya has called for an urgent meeting of the Arab League in the midst of allegations that Israel was developing chemical and biological weapons. According to the report, Libya has conducted extensive consultations with Arab League members "following information that the Israeli enemy possesses chemical and bacteriological weapons, including toxic gases, developed in a factory in the Negev desert." Libya reportedly has called the meeting because of the danger these developments pose.
--"Libya Calls Arab League Talks over Israel's Weapons Arsenal," Agence France Presse, 9 August 1996.

13 August 1996
Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi sends a telegraph to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat calling for Arabs to take measures to confront Israel's possession of chemical and biological weapons. The telegraph states that international institutions must disarm Israel of such weapons.
--"Gaddafi Calls for Measure to Face up to Israel's Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 13 August 1996.

30 October 1996
The Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA), a rebel group located on the Papua New Guinea Island of Bougainville, accuses Israel of providing the Papua New Guinea Defense Forces (PNGDF) with "chemical bombs." According to a statement released by the group, the PNGDF is dropping the bombs by helicopters and the bombs are causing skin irritation and burning. The Israeli Embassy in Wellington denies the allegations.
--"Israel Denies Supplying 'Chemical Bombs' for use on Bougainville," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 1 November 1996.

14 November 1996
Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Dr. Hassan Rohani, states during his visit to Ireland that Israel and not Iran possesses nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
--MacConnell, Sean "Iranian Outlines Difficulties with Beef Trade," The Irish Times, 15 November 1996, p. 8.

1997
Israel's position on the Chemical Weapons Convention is reviewed by a committee headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The committee decides not to submit the convention for ratification to the Israeli parliament.
--Avner Cohen "Israel and Chemical/Biological Weapons: History, Deterrence, and Arms Control," The Nonproliferation Review, Fall-Winter 2001, Vol. 8., No. 3, pp. 46-47.

1 August 1997
Israeli officials approve a plan to assassinate Hamas operative Khamel Meshaal using a chemical weapon.
--Blanche, Ed, "Israeli Intelligence Agencies Under Fire," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 10, No. 1, 1 January 1998, p. 18.

3 September 1997
Israel Army Radio reports that Israel is to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention.
--"News at a Glance 1600 GMT," Deutsche Presse Agentur, 3 September 1997.

Early September 1997
Agents from Israel's intelligence agency, the Mossad, practice using a fake chemical weapon against unknowing civilians. The exercise is used as a trial run for an operation in which Mossad agents plan to assassinate a Hamas operative named Khaled Meshaal.
--Blanche, Ed, "Israeli Intelligence Agencies Under Fire," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 10, No.1, 1 January 1998, p. 18.

4 September 1997
Israel Foreign Ministry Director-General Eytan Bentsur tells the Conference on Disarmament that Israel will not ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention. Bentsur states that Israel cannot ratify the convention because no Arab state has signed it.
--"Israel Won't Ratify Chemical Weapons Pact," Jerusalem Post, 5 September 1997, p. 24.

25 September 1997
Two Israeli Mossad agents attempt to poison Hamas operative Khaled Meshaal with a "high tech" chemical weapon in Amman, Jordan. Meshaal is targeted because of his alleged involvement in two suicide attacks in Jerusalem on 30 July 1998 and 4 September 1998. It is believed that the chemical used in the attack is synthetic opiate called Fentanyl. The chemical can be absorbed through the skin and can kill a person in 48 hours. The chemical was reportedly manufactured at the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR). Israeli officials also claim that Meshaal arranged for the shipping of the explosives used to bomb the Israeli Embassy in Argentina. They claim he also hired the operatives to carry out the operation. Two Mossad agents are captured in the operation by Jordanian officials.
--King, Peter "A Year After Mossad Attack, Jordan Wants to Forget, HAMAS to Fight on," Agence France Presse, 24 September 1998; Blanche, Ed, "Israeli Intelligence Agencies Under Fire," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 10, No. 1, 1 January 1998, p. 18; Mahnaimi, Uzi, "Israeli Jets Equipped for Chemical Warfare," Sunday Times, 4 October 1998.

27 September 1997
Hamas operative Khaled Meshaal is administered an antidote given to Jordanian officials by Israel. Israel gives the antidote as part of an agreement in which two Mossad agents who attempted to assassinate Meshaal, are released into Israeli custody.
--Blanche, Ed, "Israeli Intelligence Agencies Under Fire," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 10, No. 1, 1 January 1998, p. 18.

6 October 1997
Two Israeli Mossad agents are released after being captured for the attempted assassination of Hamas operative Khaled Meshaal.
--Blanche, Ed, "Israeli Intelligence Agencies Under Fire," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 10, No. 1, 1 January 1998, p. 18.

1998
The IIBR drops plans to expand its facilities in Ness Ziona due to local pressure exerted by the major and concerned citizens over the environmental and safety hazards associated with the suspected biological activities of the complex.
--Lavie, Mark, "Rumors Abound About Israeli Center," Associated Press, 24 October 1998; Walker, Christopher "Israeli Court Blow to Germ War Plant," The Times, 25 September 1998.

17 May 1998
Jose Mauricio Bustani, head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) states that Israel is likely to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) sooner rather than later.
--"OPCW Inspects Sites in 30 Nations Under Chemical Weapons Treaty," JiJi Press Ticker Service, 18 March 1998.

May 1998
A statement released by the official JANA news agency in Libya states that Libya is "'surprised by the United States' rush to impose sanctions on Pakistan when (Washington) won't even lift the smallest finger against the nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons which Israel has."
--Rechnagel, Charles "Middle East Ponders Consequences of first 'Islamic Bomb,'" Agence France Presse, 29 May 1998.

10-15 May 1998
The Israeli company Kinetics Ltd. participates in the 6th international conference for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The conference talks about ways of detecting chemical agents and ways of protecting medical personnel in the events that such an agent is used. Companies involved in the conference display their new equipment that addresses these issues.
--"NBC Proliferation-6th International Symposium," Intelligence Newsletter, 5 March 1998, No. 330.

14 May 1998
A report by the Libyan news agency JANA criticizes U.S. sanctions against Pakistan for its nuclear program because the U.S. does not sanction Israel which according to the report maintains "vast quantities of biological and chemical weapons."
--"India: Libyan Agency Criticizes U.S. Sanctions," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 14 May 1998.

7 July 1998
In a visit to Pakistan, the speaker of the Iranian Majlis, Ali-Akbar Nateq-Nuri states that "Israel serves as a nuclear and chemical weapons depot and poses a big threat to Muslims."
--"Iranian Speaker Warns Visiting Pakistani's of Plot to fan Muslim Rivalries," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 9 July 1998.

August 1998
The Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot, publishes a long expose in which is calls the Israeli Institute of Biological Research (IIBR) "metropolitan Tel Aviv's most severe environmental hazard" and also raises questions regarding the secrecy surrounding institute's activities.
--Avner Cohen "Israel and Chemical/Biological Weapons: History, Deterrence, and Arms Control," The Nonproliferation Review, Fall-Winter 2001, Vol. 8, No. 3, p. 36.

19 August 1998
The British magazine Foreign Report reports four workers have been killed and 25 injured at the IIBR in recent years due to separate accidents. It also reports the authorities also ordered the evacuation of the surrounding area following one of the accidents.
--Davis, Douglas "Report: 4 Killed, 25 Hurt, at Secret Institute," Jerusalem Post, 20 August 1998, p. 2.

23 September 1998
Israeli citizens living near the Israel Institute of Biological Research file an appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court to prevent the expansion of the institute.
--"Israelis File to Suit to Block Chemical Weapons Plant Expansion," Agence France Presse, 23 September 1998.

24 September 1998
The Israeli Supreme Court accepts a complaint filed by the mayor of Ness Ziona, Yossi Shvo, calling for a halt in the expansion of the Israel Institute of Biological Research based on environmental concerns.
--"Crashed jet Held Nerve-gas Chemical Dutch in Uproar Over Israeli Cargo." The Toronto Star, 2 October 1998, P A12; Walker, Christopher "Israeli Court Blow to Germ War Plant," The Times, 25 September 1998.

27 September 1998
In an interview with reporters at the United Nations, Iranian president Mohammad Khatami states that Iran has in that past expressed concern that "Israel has become an arsenal of nuclear atomic weapons, chemical weapons, and weapons of mass destruction."
--"Iran: Khatami Addresses News Conference During Visit to the UN," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 27 September 1998.

1 October 1998
Israel confirms that an El Al Boeing 747 cargo aircraft which crashed near Amsterdam in 1992 was carrying a shipment of 190 liters of DMMP, a chemical that can be used in the production sarin. Israeli authorities however, contend that the shipment was for legitimate purposes and that the chemicals were approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce and were to be used to test filters. They also order an investigation into allegations that the DMMP was for its chemical weapons program. The shipment was destined for the IIBR.
--"Crashed jet Held Nerve-gas Chemical Dutch in Uproar Over Israeli Cargo." The Toronto Star, 2 October 1998, P A12; "El Al Confirms Crashed Plane Carried Substance for Nerve Gas," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 1 October 1998.

4 October 1998
A report published in the Sunday Times of London states that Israeli F-16's have the capability to perform missions with chemical and biological weapons that were produced at the IIBR. According to the report, crews have been trained to load such munitions onto the planes within a matter of minutes. The article cites "military sources" as the sources for the report.
--Cordesman, Anthony H., "Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East," Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003; Mahnaimi, Uzi, "Israeli Jets Equipped for Chemical Warfare," Sunday Times, 4 October 1998.

6 October 1998
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak states that the Israelis are "in the process of arming themselves with nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons."
--"Egypt Concerned by Israeli Arsenal, Wants Balance of Forces," Agence France Presse, 6 October 1998.

13 March 1999
At a conference on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean, Palestine National Council member Abdullah Abdullah accused Israel of manufacturing chemical weapons at the IIBR.
--"PNC Member Accuses Israel of Making Non-conventional Arms," Jerusalem Post, 14 March 1999, p. 3.

2 April 1999
The United Kingdom partially lifts a ban that did not allow Israeli nuclear scientists and those associated with the development of chemical and biological weapons to enter the U.K. for professional conferences or to visit research institutes.
--"Britain Suspends ban on Israeli Nuclear Scientists," Xinhua News Agency, 2 April 1999.

6 April 1999
Ali Kazak, the head of The General Palestinian Delegation to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, writes an Op-ed article in the Sydney Morning Herald. In the article he asserts that Israel "possesses nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and the means to deliver them not only to every city and village in the entire Arab world but as far as Central Asia and to every city in Europe."
--"There is Only One Peaceful Option," Sydney Morning Herald, 6 April 1999.

27 April 1999
The Dutch government confirms that it sent 20 milligrams of soman nerve agent to the IIBR in 1996. According to shipping documents, the gas was intended for medical research within Israel.
--"Holland Confirms it Gave Israel Nerve Gas Samples," Jerusalem Post, 28 April 1999. News p. 9.

2 February 2000
During a Knesset debate about Israel's nuclear weapons program, Arab legislator Issam Makhul states that Israel's "stockpile of atomic, chemical, and biological weapons jeopardize the country's security."
--""Debate about Israel's Nuclear Weapons," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 4 February 2000, available online at http://www.thebulletin.org, accessed on 10/11/03.

September 2000
Israeli call for a review of the 1997 government decision not to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention.
--Avner Cohen "Israel and Chemical/Biological Weapons: History, Deterrence, and Arms Control," The Nonproliferation Review, Fall-Winter 2001, Vol. 8, No. 3, p. 47.

15 February 2001
Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat accuses Israel of using poison gas against Palestinians.  His accusation is based on reports that approximately 80 Palestinians, suffering from poison gas effects, were recently admitted to a Gaza hospital. The Israelis deny using poison gas; however, the Palestinians intend to send a sample of the gas to an international lab for independent analysis.
--“Arafat accuses Israel of using poison gas,” CNN, 15 February 2001, <http://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/02/15/arafat.gas/>.

28 November 2001
According to the Egyptian state-run MENA news agency, President Hosni Mubarak in answering allegations that Egypt signed an arms deal with North Korea, states that Israel is the only Middle Eastern country to possess both nuclear and chemical weapons.
--"Mubarak Rejects Israel Reports on Egypt's Arms Deal with North Korea," Xinhua, 28 November 2001.

16 May 2001
In a speech at the sixth conference for the Chemical Weapons Convention in the Hague, the head of the Saudi delegation, Dr. Sulman Bin Hammad Al-Khuweiter calls on Israel and other countries who posses chemical weapons to place these weapons under the auspice of the international treaty. Saudi Arabia also wants other countries to exert their influence to insure that these countries comply.
--"Kingdom Concerned at Stockpiling of Chemical Arms by Some Nations; Israel, Other Urged to Allow Scrutiny of Banned Weapons," Middle East Newsfile, 16 May 2001.

9 June 2002
A report in the English newspaper The Herald accuses the British government of selling chemical weapon technology to Israel.
--"Meanwhile the UK Quietly Continues to Profit from War," The Sunday Herald, 9 June 2002, p. 10.

10 September 2002
An Israeli man who gave his name only as Avi states that he got cancer from working at a secret chemical warfare laboratory. According to the man, he worked at the lab as a technician during the 1980's and worked on such things are developing methods for decontamination, detecting poison gas, and testing the effectiveness of protective equipment. Avi also states that when working at the lab, workers were not given protective clothing and this exposed them to many harmful chemicals. The Israeli military censor does not permit the publishing of the chemicals used at the laboratory.
--Katzenall, Jack "Israeli Blames his Service in Army Chemical Warfare Research Unit for his Cancer," Associated Press, 10 September 2002, International News.

7 to 11 October 2002
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) holds the Seventh Session of the Conference of the States Parties. Israel attends and participates as an observer.
--Report of the Seventh Session of the Conference of the States Parties, 7 - 11 October 2003, C-7/5, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, 11 October 2002, <http://www.opcw.org/docs/c_7_5.pdf>.

25 October 2002
Arab Justice Ministers release the Beirut Declaration in which they denounce the threat of using force against an Arab country, especially when Israel possesses nuclear and chemical weapons.
--"Arab Justice Ministers Condemn 'All' Terrorism, Use of Force Against Countries," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 25 October 2002.

6 December 2002
German Defense Minister Peter Struck decides not to deliver six Fuch vehicles to Israel for fear that the vehicles could be used for offensive purposes. The Fuch is a vehicle designed to survey areas hit by a nuclear, chemical, or biological explosion and determines whether or not it is safe for humans.
--"Israeli President: We Won't Accept Condition on Fuch Vehicles," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 7 December 2002.

December 2002
The Israel Defense Forces conduct live-condition exercises that test protection equipment in the event of a chemical weapons attack.
--"Israeli Army Successfully Tests Chemical Warfare Equipment-TV," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 22 December 2002.

16 March 2003
A documentary produced by the BBC accuses Israel of hiding nuclear bomb factories and developing chemical weapons.
--"Israel Protest," Daily Mail, 15 March 2003.

14 April 2003
The Press Secretary for the Syrian Foreign Ministry states that Syria does not possess chemical weapons and that Israel is the only country in the region which does.
--"Syrian Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Denies Having Chemical Weapons," Asahi Shimbun, 15 April 2003, available online at http://www.asahi.com/international/update/0415/004.html, accessed on 4/15/03.

17 May 2003
Iran accuses Israel of possessing the largest arsenal of chemical weapons in the Middle East.
--"Tehran Times Accuses Israel, USA of Violating Chemical Weapons Convention," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 17 May 2003.

22 May 2003
Egyptian biologist, Dr. Wajdi Abd-al-Fattah Sawahil, claims that Israel uses chemical drugs to torture and elicit information from Palestinian detainees and is using gases on Palestinians that lead to infertility.
--Jamal al-Majaydah, “Egyptian Scientist: Israel produces viruses that attack Palestinians only,” FBIS GMP20030522000144, 22 May 2003.

28 June 2003
The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) broadcasts a documentary entitled "Israel's Secret Weapons." The documentary states that Israel has used chemical weapons in the territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
--"Quote Unquote," The Jerusalem Report, 28 July 2003.

3 August 2003
The U.S. company Sundstran agrees to pay a $171,500 civil penalty because it sold centrifugal pumps to Israel. The pumps can be used to help create chemical weapons.
--"US Company Fined for Exporting Chemical Weapon Components to Israel and Saudi Arabia," MENA Business Reports, 3 August 2003.

18-19 September 2003
At the Moscow International Proliferation Conference, Iran's Deputy Director General of International Political Affairs Ali Asghar Soltanieh states that Israel has developed chemical and biological weapons and the means to deliver them.
--"The Proliferation Problem According to Iran," Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 7 October 2003, available at <http://www.ceip.org>, accessed on 10/11/03.

20 to 24 October 2003
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) holds the Eighth Session of the Conference of the States Parties. Israel attends and participates as an observer.
--Report of the Eighth Session of the Conference of the States Parties, 20 - 24 October 2003, C-8/7, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, 24 October 2003, p. 1, <http://www.opcw.org/docs/c807.pdf>.

20 December 2003
Ahmad Abu-Zayd, Chairman of Egypt’s People’s Assembly Arab Affairs Committee,  urges Israel and all Mideast countries to follow Libya’s example and dismantle their WMD programs.
--“Egyptian official urges Israel to dismantle nuclear, chemical Weapons,” BBC Monitoring, 20 December 2003.