The Incredible Story of Numec Zalman Shapiro and the Diversion of US Weapons Grade Uranium Into the Wrong Hands

Numec Zalman Shapiro, a renowned nuclear chemist, and his company, Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation (NUMEC), once held the promise of securing the United States' nuclear capabilities and advancing peaceful atomic energy uses. However, behind the scenes, an astonishing saga was unfolding - a story that involved the diversion of US weapons-grade uranium into the wrong hands, posing significant national security threats.

The Rise of Numec and Zalman Shapiro

Zalman Shapiro, born in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a remarkable intellect from an early age. Excelling in science, he pursued his studies at the University of Pittsburgh and later earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University. In 1956, Shapiro founded Numec in Apollo, Pennsylvania, with the aim of developing new reactor designs and producing high-quality nuclear materials.

Divert!: NUMEC, Zalman Shapiro and the diversion of US weapons grade uranium into the Israeli nuclear weapons program

by Grant F. Smith (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3470 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	316 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Numec quickly gained prominence in the nuclear industry and secured contracts with the US government for handling weapons-grade uranium. Shapiro himself, a charismatic and highly knowledgeable figure, became highly regarded within the field of nuclear chemistry.

The Disappearance of Weapons-Grade Uranium

However, as Numec's operations progressed, allegations began to surface regarding the mishandling and potential diversion of weapons-grade uranium. Between the late 1950s and 1960s, approximately 196 kilograms of highly enriched uranium vanished from Numec's facilities. This disappearance raised serious concerns and suggested the possibility of an illicit diversion.

An investigation was launched, but the truth behind the missing uranium remained elusive for years. While early theories pointed towards accidental losses, evidence slowly emerged that painted a much more sinister picture.

The Involvement of Israeli Intelligence Agencies

Over time, the investigation into the missing uranium increasingly pointed towards the involvement of Israeli intelligence agencies, particularly Mossad. It was speculated that the uranium had been diverted to aid Israel's covert development of nuclear weapons. This revelation shocked the American public and threatened bilateral relations between the two nations.

Numec, which had significant ties to Israel and Israeli scientists, raised suspicions. Shapiro himself faced scrutiny, with some suggesting he had knowingly and willingly participated in the uranium diversion. The case became a complex web of geopolitical intrigue and espionage.

The Consequences and Fallout

The diversion of weapons-grade uranium into unauthorized hands had severe consequences for both national security and non-proliferation efforts. The United States, now aware of Israel's nuclear ambitions, faced significant challenges in reining in the situation.

The investigation into Numec and Shapiro ultimately fizzled out due to a lack of substantial evidence. However, the shadow of the missing uranium continued to hang over Shapiro, a blemish that would tarnish his scientific legacy.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

The Numec affair left many important lessons for the United States regarding nuclear security and strict operational controls. The case underscored the critical need for enhanced safeguards and accountability measures to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials.

Zalman Shapiro, until his death in 2016, maintained his innocence and denied any involvement in the uranium diversion. Despite the allegations and controversies, it is important to remember his significant contributions to nuclear science and technologies.

In

The Numec Zalman Shapiro affair stands as a captivating tale of betrayal, espionage, and potential threats to national security. The diversion of US weapons-grade uranium into unauthorized hands created tensions between nations and shed light on the need for comprehensive nuclear security measures.

Decades later, the full truth behind the disappearance of the uranium remains shrouded in secrecy. However, the legacy of the Numec affair persists, serving as a reminder of the complex challenges surrounding nuclear technologies and the importance of safeguarding them.

Divert!: NUMEC, Zalman Shapiro and the diversion of US weapons grade uranium into the Israeli nuclear weapons program

by Grant F. Smith (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3470 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	316 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Based on an exhaustive review of formerly classified government documents-as well as previously unexplored corporate filings, office diaries and unguarded interviews-Grant F. Smith has written a riveting story of the 1960s diversion of US weapons-grade nuclear material from an Israeli front company in Pennsylvania into the clandestine Israeli atomic weapons program. The talented but highly conflicted founder of the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation (NUMEC)-Dr. Zalman Mordecai Shapiro alongside his close friend and financial backer David Lowenthal-engaged in a ferocious clandestine drive to funnel the most valuable military material on earth that forever tilted the balance of power between Israel and the world. Divert! chronicles Zalman Shapiro's journey from crafting ingenious innovations for the Nautilus nuclear submarine in the 1950s to his costly pursuit of America's most advanced hydrogen bomb designs in the 1970s. Tasked during secret summits with high-level Israeli intelligence agents, guided by Israel's top nuclear arms designers, and defended by Israel and its US lobby, Shapiro and NUMEC drove the CIA and FBI from furious outrage to despair. Presidents from LBJ to Jimmy Carter secretly grappled with how to respond to Israel's brazen theft of American nuclear material before finally deciding to bury the entire affair in classified files. But NUMEC's toxic secrets have refused to be buried alive. Newly declassified wiretaps have risen from the grave, detailing Shapiro's utter contempt for worker and nuclear safety. David Lowenthal's role as an international refugee smuggler between the US, Europe and Israel-before organizing financing for NUMEC-is placed under new scrutiny. This explosive story emerges even as the US Army Corps of Engineers struggles to quietly clean NUMEC's toxic waste near Apollo, Pennsylvania with $170 million in taxpayer funding. At a time when America is coming under intense pressure to attack on the mere suspicion that Iran is diverting nuclear material, Divert! stands as the ultimate cautionary tale of how US Middle East policy is continually undermined from within by corruption, immunity, deceit and unwarranted secrecy.