Rabbis from Europe and Israel ask Katsav to pardon Vanunu
September 27, 2001
By Joseph Algazy, Ha'aretz Correspondent
Twelve prominent rabbis from Europe and Israel asked President Moshe
Katsav on Tuesday to pardon Mordechai Vanunu on "humanitarian grounds."
They said his release from jail would "demonstrate the strength of Israeli
democracy and improve Israel's standing in the world."
In 1986, Vanunu leaked details about Israel's nuclear program to The
Sunday Times. He was convicted of selling Israeli atomic secrets at his
1988 trial and was sentenced to 18 years in prison, of which he has served
15.
Among the rabbis who signed the petition are Rabbi David Rozen, former
head rabbi in Ireland; Rabbi Yitzhak Newman, former head rabbi of the
Royal Air Force and community rabbi of the United Synagogue in London;
Rabbi Meir Shimon Vershovski, former head rabbi of Strassbourg, France;
and Rabbi Ya'acov Milgrom, professor emeritus of the University of
California who now resides in Jerusalem.
The rabbis' petition was sent to the president's residence in Jerusalem by
Dr. Daniel Rohrleich, who participated in a demonstration calling for a
pardon for Vanunu that took place Tuesday outside the president's
residence. Similar demonstrations were held in front of Israeli
representatives' residence's throughout cities in Europe, the United
States, Australia, India and other places in the world. The Text of the Rabbis' Appeal
What follows is a translation of the appeal to President Katsav
and the names and affiliations of the rabbis who signed it.
Mordechai Vanunu was imprisoned in 1986 and sentenced in 1987 to
18 years in prison. Having served more than two-thirds of his sentence,
he should be eligible for parole. Vanunu served more than 11 years in
solitary confinement, an especially severe and debilitating punishment
much harsher than that imposed upon him by the court.
Vanunu passed information to a British journal, neither requesting
nor receiving payment; he is not a spy who sold secrets to an enemy.
His declared intention was to save the region and the world from the
horrors of nuclear war.
Without challenging the court's verdict, nevertheless we, the
undersigned rabbis, appeal to you to exercise your lawful authority
and pardon Mordechai Vanunu, on humanitarian grounds. His release will
show the strength of Israel's democracy and enhance Israel's standing
in the world.
Jerusalem
Rabbi Isaac Newman - Rabbis for Human Rights
("Shomreh Mishpat");
formerly congregational rabbi of the United Synagogue, London,
and Chief Rabbi of the Royal Air Force - 90 Herzl Boulevard,
Jerusalem.
It is worth pointing out, as well, that the 12 rabbis who signed
the appeal represent all the movements within Judaism: Conservative,
Reconstructionist, Reform, and Orthodox. Four of them are Orthodox,
even though this movement is often identified with the Israeli Right. -Daniel Rohrlich
To President Moshe Katsav:
25 September 2001
Rabbi Arik Ascherman - Director, Rabbis for Human Rights - 2
Yitzhak Elhanan St., Jerusalem.
Rabbi Einat Rimon - Rabbis for Human Rights.
Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman - Rabbi of Congregation "Kol Haneshama" -
1 Asher St., Jerusalem.
Rabbi Jeremy Milgrom - Rabbis for Human Rights.
Rabbi David Rosen - President of the World Conference on Religion
and Peace; former Chief Rabbi of Ireland - 20 Dan St., Jerusalem.
Rabbi Dr. Jacob Cohen - Rabbis for Human Rights.
Rabbi Meir (Mickey) Rosen - Rabbi of
Congregation "Yakar" - 10 Lamed
Heh St., Jerusalem.
Rabbi Meir (Max) Shimon Warschawski - Rabbis for Human Rights;
formerly Chief Rabbi of Strasbourg and environs, France -
3/1 Haim Bajayo St., Jerusalem.
Rabbi Jacob Milgrom, Professor Emeritus of Bible, University of
California at Berkeley - 2 Yizhak Elhanan St., Jerusalem.
Rabbi Yehiel Greniman - Chairman, Rabbis for Human Rights - 13/1
Ein Gedi St., Jerusalem.
Rabbi Philip Bentley - Rabbi of Temple Shalom, Floral Park, NY,
and President of the Jewish Peace Fellowship.
