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.

22 April 2004
An anti-terrorism technology center is established by the Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University, which envisions that the center will become a world leader in developing anti-terrorism warfare technology, especially relating to chemical and biological anti-terrorism.  Hebrew University has received around $10 million annually from US government agencies in grants for infrastructure and applied research.
--Batya Feldman, “Hebrew U. company sets up anti-terror technology unit,” Globes, 22 April 2004, <http://globes.co.il/>.

17 June 2004
The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy publishes an article by six Israeli researchers detailing the results of a study undertaken by them to determine the potential ability of 18 different antibiotics to induce antimicrobial resistance when used to treat exposure to Bacillus anthracis. The study concludes that there is a demonstrated potential for development of resistance in B. anthracis to antibiotics recommended for prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax. The publication of the study is somewhat controversial as the character of the work is suggestive of past efforts by foreign BW programs to develop antibiotic resistant disease organisms for military use.
--A. Athamna, M. Athamna, N. Abu-Rashed, B. Medlej, D. J. Bast and E. Rubinstein, “Selection of Bacillus anthracis isolates resistant to antibiotics,” Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2004 54(2), p. 424-428, <http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/54/2/424>.

11 October 2004
At the 59th session of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, Israel issues a statement citing concern over WMD proliferation and the limited effectiveness of traditional mechanisms to ensure compliance and verification, particularly in the Middle East. Israel supports in international nonproliferation efforts and supports UN Security Council Resolution 1540, but also emphasizes that individual states must strengthen international decisions with corresponding domestic actions. Israel has done so by adopting a new Export and Import Control Order, in March 2004, which will strengthen regulation controls over chemical, biological and nuclear materials.
--First Committee – UNGA – 59th session, Statement of the Delegation of Israel, <http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/1com/1com04/
statements/Israel.PDF>.

6-10 December 2004
Israeli representatives attend the Second Meeting of the States Parties to the BWC in Geneva as a non-signatory observer state. The meeting is part of the preparations for the Sixth BWC Review Conference which is to be held in 2006.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 66 (December 2004), p. 23.

29 December 2004
Researchers at the Technion-Israel's Institute of Technology-have succeeded in developing an innovative antibiotic agent that simultaneously attacks anthrax bacteria and the toxins that they release into the bloodstream of an infected individual. Unlike existing anthrax vaccines, the Israeli vaccine can be administered in one injection
--David Hayoun, "Technion researches develop antibiotic for anthrax," Globes Online, 29 December 2004, <http://www.globes.co.il>; Transcription provided by FBIS as Israeli Technion researchers develop antibiotic capable of neutralizing Anthrax, FBIS document GMP20041229000183, <http://www.fbis.gov>.

9-11 January 2005
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and civilian first responders conduct a joint exercise in Israel's south that simulates a terrorist attack using chemical or biological agents to create mass casualties.
--Amir Rapaport, "Syringes against non-conventional weapons to be distributed to policemen," Tel Aviv Ma'ariv (in Hebrew), 12 January 2005, p. 8, translation provided by FBIS as Israel: Policemen To Be Equipped With Antidotes Against Chemical Weapons, 12 January 2005, FBIS document GMP20050112000217, <http://www.fbis.gov>.

December 2005
The Swedish Defense Research Agency releases a report addressing the issue of Israeli WMD programs and capabilities. In regard to biological warfare the report states: “Israel does not stockpile or produce BW in large scale today. However we assess that Israel has a breakout capability for biological weapons . . . i.e. the knowledge needed to implement theoretical knowledge into the practical management of production and deployment of CBW. The knowledge base would be the one that was built during the 1950s and 1960s where today’s advanced research can be used to upgrade potential BW . . . agents and their behaviour in the environment. We have not found any conclusive evidence that Israel’s offensive programs still remain active today.”
--Magnus Normark, Anders Lindblad, Anders Norqvist, Bjorn Sandstrom and Louise Waldenstrom, Israel and WMD: Incentives and Capabilities (Stockholm: Swedish Defense Research Agency, 2005).

25 June 2006
The Al-Aqsa Matyr’s Brigade releases a statement in which they claim that they “have managed to produce more than 20 kinds of chemical and biological weapons following a three-year effort.” The statement also claims that the weapons “will be carried by our long-range rockets to shell Israeli settlements in the event Israel invades the Gaza Strip”.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 72+73 (September 2006), p. 37.

20 November – 8 December 2006
Two Israeli representatives attend the Sixth Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) in Geneva, Switzerland. As representatives of a state that is neither a party nor a signatory to the Convention the Israeli delegation is admitted as an observer only.
--List of Participants BWC/CONF.VI/INF.8, 7 December 2007, p. 43, <http://www.opbw.org/rev_cons/6rc/docs/inf/BWC_CONF.VI_INF.8_EN.pdf>.

19 September 2006
A high-ranking IDF officer reveals that following the conclusion of the Lebanon War the Home Front Command (HFC) is investing most of its efforts in confronting the threat of non-conventional weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The HFC is developing new technological means to deal with chemical and biological threats including mobile air-purification containers that could be brought to areas infected by chemical or biological weapons and purify the air.
--Yaakov Katz, Jerusalem Post, 19 September 2006, p. 1.

15 May 2007
Giora Martinovich, former chief medical officer for the Israeli military, publicly acknowledges that Israel developed its own version of a U.S. anthrax vaccine using over 700 soldiers for top-secret experiments that, in four cases, caused permanent side effects. Martinovich tells Israel Radio that the experiments took place in the late 1990s. The program had been ordered amid fears of an anthrax attack by Iraq under Saddam Hussein, and because foreign-made vaccines were not available. ‘It seemed clear that the Iraqis would use it (anthrax) against us,’ he said. 'It is not possible to buy, abroad, a large quantity of vaccine, which exists only in the United States or in England. Therefore the state of Israel had to develop its own vaccine.’
--Israel developed own anthrax vaccine, Agence France Presse, 15 May 2007; Dan Williams, “Israel developed version of anthrax vaccine,” The China Post , 16May07, <http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/print/109767.htm>.

9 August 2007
A special steering committee established by the Israeli government releases a draft report entitled “Biotechnological Research in an Era of Bioterrorism.” A major focus of the report is the inadequacy of Israeli biosecurity measures including the absence of appropriate legislation or adequate supervision of the activities of private research laboratories.
--Yosi Melman, "Keeping a Lid on Bioterrroism," Haaretz, 9 August 2007, <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=891465>.

20-24 August 2007
Two Israeli representatives attend the Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of Experts in Geneva, Switzerland. As representatives of a state that is neither a party nor a signatory to the Convention the Israeli delegation is admitted as an observer only.
--List of Participants BWC/MSP/2007/MX/INF.3, 24 August 2007, p. 43, <http://www.opbw.org/new_process/mx2007/bwc_mx07_INF.3_EN.pdf>.

10-14 December 2007
An Israeli delegation attends the Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of States Parties in Geneva, Switzerland. As the delegation represents a state that is neither a party nor a signatory to the Convention the Israeli delegation is admitted as an observer only.
--Draft Report of the Meeting of States Parties, 14 December 2007, p. 3, <http://www.opbw.org/new_process/msp2007/BWC_MSP_2007_Final_
draft.pdf>.

	Updated January 2008