A majority of Americans believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be investigated by the FBI for nuclear weapons technology smuggling before being allowed to enter the United States according to a new poll.. In 2012 the FBI declassified and released files (PDF archive) of its investigation into how 800 nuclear weapons triggers were illegally smuggled from the U.S. to Israel. According to the FBI, the Israeli Ministry of Defense ordered nuclear triggers (krytrons), encrypted radios, ballistic missile propellants and other export-prohibited items through a network of front companies. Smuggling ring operations leader Richard Kelly Smyth alleged that Netanyahu worked at one of the fronts – Heli Trading owned by confessed spy and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan – and met with him frequently to execute smuggling operations.
When informed of the incident, most Americans (54.9 percent) indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be investigated by the FBI before his upcoming U.S. visit.
| He should first be investigated by the FBI | 57.2% | |
| He should be allowed to visit the US | 21.1% | |
| He should not be investigated or allowed to visit the US | 15.7% | |
| Other | 6.0% | |
Survey developed by: IRmep
Survey fielded by: Google Surveys 1/26/2016
Population surveyed: US Adult Internet Users
Representative Sample size: 1,507 Statistically significant
Raw survey data from Google (Download)