Vanunu to freedom on April 21. After spending 18 years in Ashkelon Prison
for blowing the whistle on Israel's "secret" nuclear arsenal, Vanunu was
finally released after serving his entire sentence. But upon his release,
Israel imposed severe restrictions, including forbidding his contact with
foreigners, controlling his movements inside Israel, and forbidding him to
leave Israel. With these restrictions, Israel has created a special prison
just for Mordechai Vanunu.
In July 2004, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal of the
restrictions, and at a 6-month review in October, the restrictions were
renewed. On November 1, armed police stormed the church compound in East
Jerusalem where Vanunu's been living and re-arrested him, seizing his
computer, cell phone and other belongings, and questioning him about
interviews with foreign press before releasing him to a week of house
arrest. He was also detained on Christmas Eve while attempting to go to
Bethlehem.
The next review of the restrictions is scheduled for the first anniversary
of Vanunu's release from prison, April 21. The U.S. and U.K. Campaigns to
Free Mordechai Vanunu will again be organizing an international delegation
to be present in Israel for several days at the time of the one-year
anniversary of Vanunu's release. The delegation will participate in
activities such as vigils and demonstrations at sites related to the
restrictions and to Vanunu's continued call for the abolition of nuclear
weapons in Israel and around the world. On April 22 (the day after the one
year anniversary of Mordechai's release), if the restrictions are lifted as
they should be, the delegation will be there to celebrate with Mordechai and
support his next steps to leave Israel. If they are renewed the delegation
will be prepared to engage in nonviolent protest.
If you would like more information about the delegation to Israel, please
contact the U.K. or U.S. Campaign.
The Campaign to Free Vanunu and for a Nuclear Free Middle East at
, 44-20-7378-9324
The U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu at ,
520-323-8697
If the restrictions aren't lifted, there will also be peaceful
demonstrations at Israeli embassies, consulates and other locations in
cities around the world, either on April 21 or shortly thereafter. Please
contact the campaigns if you would plan one in your city.
Visit the websites for more information and updates about the case, and to
send a much-needed donation (including to help sponsor members of the
delegation) -
http://www.nonviolence.org/vanunu/ and http://www.vanunu.freeserve.co.uk/ Free Mordechai Vanunu - Info & Action Alert #48 - February 28, 2005
From the U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu
http://www.vanunu.com and http://www.nonviolence.org/vanunu/ ** PLEASE FORWARD TO SYMPATHETIC LISTS **
=============
INTERNATIONAL CALL-IN DAYS
TO CALL FOR FULL FREEDOM FOR MORDECHAI VANUNU
FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS, MARCH AND APRIL
Mark these dates on your calendar -
March 7, March 21, April 4 and April 18.
Join in sending a flurry of email, faxes and phone calls to the
Israeli Ambassador in your country on the following Mondays, leading
up to the one year review of post-prison restrictions that have
prevented nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu from leaving Israel:
March 7, March 21, April 4 and April 18 -
to tell Israel not to renew the restrictions and to let Mordechai Vanunu go.
Visit
http://mfa.gov.il/mfm or http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/israel1.html to find the contact information for Israeli Embassies in your country.
For those in the U.S., information for Israeli Embassy in D.C.:
Daniel Ayalon, Ambassador of Israel
3514 International Drive NW
Washington, DC 20008 US
Phone: 202-364-5500
Fax: 202-364-5607
Email:
ambassador_sec@israelemb.org For more information about the Vanunu case, see
http://www.vanunu.com Felice Cohen-Joppa
Coordinator
U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu
POB 43384
Tucson, AZ 85733
Phone/Fax 520-323-8697
freevanunu@mindspring.com www.nonviolence.org/vanunu