Vanunu: let me leave
PJ | 30.07.2004 10:57
Vanunu: let me leave
Thursday July 29, 2004
The Guardian
I have come to expect nothing close to justice from Israel and its legal system (Court refuses Vanunu's appeal to leave, July 27). But while I am kept in Israel, am I wrong to appeal for freedom of speech and freedom of movement, protection of my human rights? Too often the courts have based decisions on the unsubstantiated and paranoid accusations of Israeli security services.
Though there are no further criminal charges against me, I am now accused of having an excellent memory - is that now a crime in Israel? As I said outside the court, I have no more secrets: the only one which still has nuclear secrets is the Israeli government. I have no wish to harm Israel. I just want to be free and to leave.
Although this supreme court decision is not good for me, I am not crushed by it. I will continue to campaign with all my supporters for my freedom and for a nuclear-free Middle East. But for now, I can stay at St George's cathedral, where I am welcome and comfortable.
I continue to believe that Israel's nuclear weapons are a threat to the Middle East; I am disappointed that neither Mohamed ElBaradei, of the International Atomic Energy Agency, nor the US and EU have been prepared to take a stronger stand against Israel's weapons of mass destruction, as they have against Iran's.
Mordechai Vanunu
Jerusalem
Thursday July 29, 2004
The Guardian
I have come to expect nothing close to justice from Israel and its legal system (Court refuses Vanunu's appeal to leave, July 27). But while I am kept in Israel, am I wrong to appeal for freedom of speech and freedom of movement, protection of my human rights? Too often the courts have based decisions on the unsubstantiated and paranoid accusations of Israeli security services.
Though there are no further criminal charges against me, I am now accused of having an excellent memory - is that now a crime in Israel? As I said outside the court, I have no more secrets: the only one which still has nuclear secrets is the Israeli government. I have no wish to harm Israel. I just want to be free and to leave.
Although this supreme court decision is not good for me, I am not crushed by it. I will continue to campaign with all my supporters for my freedom and for a nuclear-free Middle East. But for now, I can stay at St George's cathedral, where I am welcome and comfortable.
I continue to believe that Israel's nuclear weapons are a threat to the Middle East; I am disappointed that neither Mohamed ElBaradei, of the International Atomic Energy Agency, nor the US and EU have been prepared to take a stronger stand against Israel's weapons of mass destruction, as they have against Iran's.
Mordechai Vanunu
Jerusalem
PJ