Vanunu Trial Transcripts Released

On November 24, the Israeli government released to the newspaper Yediot Ahronot 1,200 pages of the classified transcripts of Mordechai Vanunu's trial 12 years ago. The paper actively sought the documents and gave substantial space in the following days to Vanunu's case, including lengthy excerpts from the transcripts and discussion related to Israel's "secret" nuclear arsenal. The story also received extensive coverage on Israeli radio and television.

This open and public discussion of Israel's nuclear weapons (as well as regarding its long-imprisoned nuclear whistleblower) continues. At the end of December, the Ha'aretz newspaper's weekend magazine published several lengthy articles: One was an interview with Americans Nick and Mary Eoloff, Vanunu's adoptive parents who had visited Mordechai earlier in the month, and another, a very detailed account of the Dimona nuclear facility and the development of Israel's nuclear program. Ironically, such public discourse was one of Vanunu's goals when he decided in 1986, as a matter of conscience, to tell the world about the nuclear bombs being built at Dimona - believing in the public's right to know and his fellow citizen's right to discuss the direction of national policy.

Vanunu is awaiting a parole hearing sometime in January. He has served over two-thirds of his 18 year sentence, and so is eligible for parole.

On August 9, Nagasaki Day, Mordechai wrote from prison, "I am yet in the same cell for 13 years. I can walk outside in open space during the day, yet I am not even receiving the same privileges as the Israeli Jewish prisoners here. So I am yet isolated from the world outside, yet waiting to be free - that is the end of this very long time injustice and psychological torture. I can still again be isolated. Prison is the place where dictatorship exists, especially against political prisoners. But I am absolutely confident and firm. I hope my health will be good enough to live after my release. I want to thank each one who is working for my release, and hope to meet all of you soon."

For more information, contact the U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu, 2206 Fox Ave., Madison, WI 53711, (608)257-4764, www.nonviolence.org/vanunu

Please write notes of support to Mordechai Vanunu, Ashkelon Prison, Ashkelon, Israel.