Vigil for Vanunu: Will He Ever Get To Savour The Taste of Freedom?
Upon his discharge from prison in 2004, Mordechai Vanunu has still got a long way to go until he is at liberty. A vigil took place to mark the 10 year anniversary of his release, but what did his dedicated supporters have to say about the current position that he is in? Our reporter, Sobia Khan reports the live event that took place outside the Israeli Embassy, London.
Vanunu’s release from prison: Ten years later
For most, a jail sentence begins the day one sets foot in prison, but for Vanunu, it is quite the contrary.
April 21, 2014 - marked the 10th anniversary of Mordechai Vanunu’s release after serving 18 years in an Israeli prison, he spent 11 years in solitary confinement.
Outside Kensington High Street tube station, on this occasion, it was not the Israeli Embassy that people paid their attention to, but to what was taking place on the opposite side of the road.
Photo of campaigners used from - Adeline O'Keeffe: www.nuj.org.uk/news/vigil-for-vanunu
Free Vanunu badges.
Policemen observing the vigil.
Campaigner holding an article about Vanunu.
'Let Vanunu Go' protest sign.
A vigil held to remember Vanunu: Campaigners modelled black and white, cardboard cut-out masks of his face which contravened baldly against the piercing blue sky.
In a way, the contrasting colours personified the drastic difference of perspectives of both parties concerned.
In a way, the contrasting colours personified the drastic difference of perspectives of both parties concerned.
Photo of campaigners used from - Adeline O'Keeffe: www.nuj.org.uk/news/vigil-for-vanunu
Campaigner wearing a Vanunu mask.
Organiser of the event wearing Vanunu mask.
Chief Organiser of Campaign for a Nuclear Free Middle East, Ernest Rodker said: “Mordechai wants people to know the situation that he’s in and how he desperately wants to leave Israel.”
He continued: “He’s not a free man and we’re here today to draw attention to that.”
Rodker’s full interview is presented in this clip, recorded at the vigil.
Whistle-blowing & his prison sentence
This video was recorded & the interview was conducted by our reporter Sobia Khan.
Whistle-blowing & his prison sentence
Vanunu was incarcerated for his ‘crime’ after he revealed through the pages of the British Sunday Times that Israel was secretly equipping itself with a large arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Below is a discussion between two members of the national union of journalists (NUJ). Jacob Ecclestone starts the discussion with his opinion of the treatment of Vanunu by the Sunday Times following Barry White’s outlook about the importance of whistle-blowers to journalists.
Jacob Ecclestone on the left of the photograph (speaks first in discussion), Barry White on the left of the photograph (speaks second).
But should whistleblowing such a deadly secret be seen as a courageous act in the service of humanity?
In spite of having served the full sentence for his alleged ‘crime’, on release he was immediately placed under severe restrictions on his freedom of movement, speech and association and restriction which have been annually renewed ever since.
Thus he is prevented from leaving Israel, something he fervently wants to do; to move around freely or even talk to ‘foreigners’ – he has even served another three months for this peculiar ‘crime’.
The reason for these restrictions is the claim by the Israeli secret services that he may still have ‘secrets’ to reveal that could be damaging to Israel.
Imprisonment of human rights
Nancy Hawker, campaigner of the Middle East and North Africa Programme for Amnesty International said: “He’s still in Israel, under strict restrictions which violate his human rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of movement. These restrictions are arbitrary and appear to be vindictive and they should be lifted immediately.”
Nancy Hawker at the vigil - photo taken by Sobia Khan.
She continued: “Amnesty international have been making representations to the Israeli government for many years, to allow Mordechai Vanunu to leave Israel as he wishes to do so. It’s his right.”
It could be that the real reason for Vanunu’s never-ending persecution is a form of revenge?
Perhaps it is a persecution to discourage an example to discourage others from following a similar whistle-blowing path in respect of Israel’s defence and security establishment.
In light of recent whistle-blowers, such as: Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden & Julian Assange, it is quite clear that informers are still considered as traitors.
Perhaps the genuine traitors are those who are/were accountable for the acts that they exposed.
No comments: