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VANUNU RECEIVES LENNON ONO PEACE GRANT AWARD Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu is one of two people awarded the 2004 biennial LennonOno Grant For Peace by Yoko Ono. Ono said that Vanunu, and journalist Seymour Hersh, who will each receive a $50,000 grant, epitomize her late husband John Lennon's song, "Gimme Some Truth." Ono personally selected this year's recipients for their courage in seeking truth as a means to a more peaceful world. Vanunu and Hersh will be honored at a private dinner tonight, October 7, at the U.N. Because of the severe restrictions placed on Vanunu by Israeli authorities after his release in April from an 18 year prison term, including a ban on allowing him to leave Israel, Vanunu is not able to travel to New York to receive the award. His adoptive American parents, Nick and Mary Eoloff, will be accepting the award on his behalf. Mary Eoloff stated, "We are very sad that Mordechai is still unable to come to the U.S. to our home in St. Paul, Minnesota. Of course we wish that he could receive this award in person. I just don't understand why Israel has to continue to punish Mordechai after he has completed the full term of 18 years, including solitary confinement. He has suffered enough and they should let him go." Rayna Moss of the International Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu stated: " Israel is continuing to punish and gag Mordechai Vanunu for speaking the truth: that Israel is a rogue country, manufacturing and stockpiling weapons of mass destruction without any form of public or international supervision. The international community must assume its responsibility: stop Israel's secret nuclear program and end the persecution of whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu." For more information: www.vanunu.com
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