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Frequently Asked Questions About...
Mordechai Vanunu, imprisoned nuclear whistleblower
* Revealed information to the London Sunday Times about
Israel's secret nuclear arsenal.
* Kidnapped by the Mossad on September 30, 1986, later
sentenced to 18 years and imprisoned ever since.
Q. When is Mordechai's release date?
A. Mordechai has repeatedly been turned down for parole. His
release date is April 21, 2004, just five months short of the
completion of his 18 year sentence. This date was recently confirmed
by the Israeli Embassy in London after a visit by representatives of
the British Campaign to Free Vanunu.
Q. How is he treated in prison?
A. For the first 11 1/2 years, Mordechai was held in complete
solitary confinement, which Amnesty International called "cruel,
inhuman and degrading". After being released from solitary, he still
faces many restrictions - occasional visits allowed only from family,
lawyer or clergy; no telephone use; outgoing mail censored and held
for months; not allowed to talk with the media. Throughout all of
this, he has remained resolute that he did the right thing in blowing
the whistle on Israel's nuclear weapons program.
Q. What restrictions might he face upon release?
A. Unnamed Israeli government sources have recently told reporters that conditions
and restrictions are under consideration, such as never being allowed to
leave the country or speak in public, and even the possibility of administrative
detention. This is absurd. After being locked away for almost 18 years, he
has no more secrets to reveal and is no threat to Israel's security. There
are of course many unknowns, but the international campaign is moving forward
with plans for Mordechai's release, while carefully considering the different
possibilities that might occur.
Q. What are Mordechai's plans for the future?
A. He's very much looking forward to his release and the end of his
long ordeal. He would like to leave Israel as soon as he has his
passport. He's interested in living in the U.S., perhaps teaching
history. The U.S. Campaign, along with other campaigns, will do
whatever we can to help Mordechai begin to rebuild his life. We have
been raising money to help him after his release. Donations can be
sent to the address below. Please make checks payable to the U.S.
Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu. Checks of $50 or more are
tax-deductible if made payable to the Progressive Foundation. If
you're in the U.K. or Canada, there are also trust funds in those
countries. Inquire for more information.
Q. Will they release Mordechai on April 21? A.
We expect Israel to do the right thing and release him at the end of his sentence.
If they don't, we all need to apply maximum pressure and demand that the Israeli
government free Mordechai Vanunu unconditionally, without any restriction.
For more information, contact the U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai
Vanunu, PO Box 43384, Tucson, AZ 85733, (520)323-8697,
www.nonviolence.org/vanunu
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