In the early 1980's Iraq, under Saddam Hussein began building the Osiraq nuclear reactor. Israel feared that Iraq would use the reactor to build nuclear weapons and bomb Israel.
When negotiations didn't work, Israel, under Prime Minister Menachem Begin decided to bomb the reactor.
In June of 1981, a squadron of fighter jets flew into Iraq, bombed the reactor and returned safely home.
The successful mission was met with praise in Israel but condemnation from other countries. These same countries later thanked Israel during the 1991 Persian Gulf War when Iraq's further plans for war were revealed.
One of the pilots was Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut who later died in the space shuttle disaster in 2003.
When negotiations didn't work, Israel, under Prime Minister Menachem Begin decided to bomb the reactor.
In June of 1981, a squadron of fighter jets flew into Iraq, bombed the reactor and returned safely home.
The successful mission was met with praise in Israel but condemnation from other countries. These same countries later thanked Israel during the 1991 Persian Gulf War when Iraq's further plans for war were revealed.
One of the pilots was Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut who later died in the space shuttle disaster in 2003.
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