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VANUNU
RELEASED
- Restrictions Limit Freedom
After 18 years of imprisonment in Ashkelon, Israel, the day of freedom finally arrived. Mordechai Vanunu was released on April 21, 2004. It was shortly after 11 a.m. when he stepped up to the prison gate to acknowledge the supporters gathered outside, holding both hands high with the signs of victory and peace. The several hundred jubilant supporters gathered outside the prison were overcome with joy.
Earlier that morning, an international delegation comprised of over 80 people from 10 different countries joined with Israelis at the prison, holding banners, signs and flowers. Eighteen doves were set free, one for each year of Vanunu's imprisonment.
A slightly larger crowd of right-wing Israeli extremists were also present, not to welcome Vanunu to freedom, but to rip up supporters' signs reading "Thank You Mordechai Vanunu - Peace Hero, Nuclear Whistleblower", throw eggs and rocks, and shout "Kill Vanunu" and "Death to the Traitor".
After waving to his supporters, the long silenced nuclear whistleblower made a statement to the throng of international press gathered just inside the prison compound, and his message was broadcast around the world.
"I am proud and happy to do what I did... I will continue to speak against all kinds of nuclear weapons, against all democracies' nuclear weapons."
He called for the Dimona nuclear facility to be opened to international inspection, and said, "I don't have any secrets. I don't want to harm Israel. I want a new life. I want to go to United States, to marry a wife and to start my life."
Asked about being a hero, Vanunu replied, "All those who stood behind me and who supported me for 18 years are the heroes. I am a symbol of the will of freedom. You cannot break the human spirit."
The week before his release, Vanunu was informed about a package of restrictions placed on him by Israeli authorities which severely limit his freedom of movement and speech. Based on 1945 British Mandate emergency regulations, the restrictions include not being allowed to leave Israel for at least one year and not being allowed to speak with foreign press. They were allegedly implemented because Israeli authorities are concerned that Vanunu can possibly harm Israel. But the nuclear whistleblower has no more secrets to reveal after being locked away from the world for 18 years; he told everything he knew to the London Sunday Times in 1986.
Dan Yakir and Oded Feller, with the Association of Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), filed an appeal of the restrictions on June 3 with the Israeli High Court. The hearing was held on July 11 before three senior justices. Vanunu, Yakir and Feller were barred from all but half an hour of the three hour long proceeding. On July 26, the judges announced their decision: to uphold the restrictions.
Mordechai Vanunu was given sanctuary at St. George's Anglican Cathedral in Jerusalem by Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal immediately after his release, and continues to live there. He is out of prison, but not yet free. The international campaigns continue to work for Vanunu's true freedom, so that he can leave Israel without restriction and start his new life.
For more information, including about writing letters to Israeli authorities and an online petition urging them to lift the restrictions and let Vanunu go, contact the U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu, PO Box 43384, Tucson, AZ 85733, (520)323-8697, email: freevanunu@mindspring.com web: www.vanunu.com
Also,
financial contributions are being accepted to help Mordechai rebuild his
life. Donations can be made payable to the
U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu and sent to the address above.
Please write "for Mordechai" on the memo line of the check.
You can send letters of support to Mordechai Vanunu, c/o Cathedral Church of St. George, 20 Nablus Rd., PO Box 19018, Jerusalem 91190, Israel, vanunumvjc@hotmail.com
