NEWS: Israeli Nuclear Whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu Detained Again

Famed Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu has been detained by officials as he tried to enter the West bank town of Bethlehem today. The purpose of his visit was to attend midnight mass in what is considered the birthplace of Christ. Vanunu who has converted to Christianity was recently released following an 18 year sentence for disclosing Israeli nuclear secrets. The conditions of his release forbids talking to foreigners as well as traveling beyond the borders of Israel.



He was just arrested a few months ago for talking to foreign press. At the time he stated that he had no more secrets to disclose. However, there must be a reason that the Israeli government is keeping such a tight lid on him. They had no choice but to release him as he had served his term, but I wonder. Either that or they may have turned him and he is playing up so he can spread disinformation about their programs?

The answer is very simple.

Mordechai Vanunu is banned from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
And Bethlehem is under Palestinian control.

He was detained on Friday as he tried to enter the West Bank city of Bethlehem for Christmas in defiance of restrictions imposed after his release.

Even though he knew he was prohibited, he tried to cross.

Rebekka

He was was freed on Saturday and ordered to post bail of 50,000 shekels (ca $ 10.000) and to remain at his lodgings at Saint George's Anglican cathedral in Jerusalem for the next five days.

Usual way for those in defiance of restrictions, no big story.


Rebekka

If Vanunu's involvement with Israels nuclear program ended almost two decades ago what pertinant information would he possess now?

Its already an open secret that Israel has WMD so nothing new to be discovered there or is there?

Maybe what Vanunu has is information on just how the Israeli's got WMD in the first place - that would definitely stir the pot so to speak. Hence all the restrictions on his movement and contacts.

To think that detailed information and diagrams relating to nuclear power could be deemed obsolete after 20 years is a rather silly thing to say.
These aren't personal computer sketches or video game plans that would seem ancient 20 years later.

Update.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Vanunu indicted for violating parole

Nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu has been indicted by an Israeli court for repeatedly violating the terms of his release from prison one year ago.

Vanunu was accused before a Jerusalem court of breaching on 21 occasions the severe restrictions placed on his movement after serving an 18-year sentence for lifting the lid on the inner workings of the Dimona nuclear plant.

After his release in April 2004, the 50-year-old was banned from leaving Israel or having contacts with foreigners, particularly journalists, without prior authorisation.

abc.net.au
Vanunu charged for defying parole
BBC

Originally posted by Phoenix
Maybe what Vanunu has is information on just how the Israeli's got WMD in the first place - that would definitely stir the pot so to speak. Hence all the restrictions on his movement and contacts.

Exactly what I have been thinking, although if that were the case, you'd wonder why they ever released him in the first place, or even why he didn't die of a "mysterious illness" while incarcerated. Israel is not known for its tendency to bow to international pressure.

The only other explanation for the restrictions would be spite.

It's interesting that Vanunu is subject to all these conditions imposed on him while at the same time Israel is making demands that a US citizen, jailed for spying and passing US secrets (nuclear) to Israel, should be released. The Knesset even want it as a condition of Palestinian prisoner releases Tail wagging the dog?

www.jpost.com.../JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1110857199425

This made me chuckle...

MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) said the US was spying on Israel "24 hours a day," and an Israeli maneuver planned in the Mediterranean sea had to be canceled last week because of the presence of US spy planes. He said Israel was keeping its commitment not to spy on the US. "It is true they are big and we are dependent on them, but there is a limit to how much we have to tolerate," he said

Israel spy on the US? How preposterous!!!