November 22 marks the 61st anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963. As we commemorate this transformative leader, it’s important to reflect on his impact not just on America but also on critical global issues, including peace in the Middle East.
President Kennedy strongly opposed Israel’s development of nuclear weapons. His administration actively worked to prevent nuclear proliferation in the region, taking decisive steps to address Israel’s nuclear ambitions.
Kennedy was well aware of Israel’s nuclear facility at Dimona, officially described as a civilian program. However, U.S. intelligence suspected it was part of a covert effort to develop nuclear weapons. To counter this, Kennedy pressured Israeli Prime Ministers David Ben-Gurion and Levi Eshkol to allow U.S. inspections of the Dimona facility to ensure it was not being used for military purposes.
Through numerous letters, Kennedy directly communicated his concerns to Israeli leaders, emphasizing the importance of transparency. In a 1963 letter to Prime Minister Eshkol, he made it clear that continued U.S. military and economic aid was contingent on Israel’s compliance with nuclear inspections. This firm stance demonstrated Kennedy’s commitment to nonproliferation and his belief in accountability.
Kennedy’s efforts in the Middle East were part of a broader global agenda to limit the spread of nuclear weapons, a goal that extended to other nations, including India and Pakistan.
Tragically, Kennedy’s assassination in November 1963 marked a turning point. His successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, took a less assertive approach toward Israel’s nuclear program. By the late 1960s, under Prime Minister Golda Meir, Israel reportedly achieved nuclear capability. The U.S. and Israel eventually adopted a policy of “nuclear ambiguity,” where Israel neither confirmed nor denied possessing nuclear weapons.
An ancient Chinese poem goes, “出师未捷身先死，长使英雄泪满襟” (Chū shī wèi jié shēn xiān sǐ, cháng shǐ yīng xióng lèi mǎn jīn), which means, “The general set out to fight but died before achieving victory, often causing heroes’ tears soaking their robes.” This poem conveys a profound sense of loss, highlighting the tragic fate of a heroic figure who dies before witnessing the success of their efforts, leaving behind deep sorrow for their untimely death.