In 2004 an international delegation travelled to Israel to welcome Mordechai 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 campaign@vanunu.freeserve.co.uk, 44-20-7378-9324

The U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu at freevanunu@mindspring.com, 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/

Felice Cohen-Joppa
Coordinator
U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu