Convicted nuclear spy/whistle blower Mordechai Vanunu is barred from leaving Israel as per the terms of his release from prison. However, Vanunu is once again challenging the Supreme Court ruling, insisting it has never been proven that his actions compromised state security and as such, he should be permitted to leave Israel.

The travel ban began in 2005 when Vanunu was released from prison after serving his 18-year- sentence after being convicted of espionage. He is not permitted to give interview to the media and he may not leave Israel. He was arrested in 2010 and jailed for a half a year for violating the restrictions placed on him, contacting foreign agents. Back in 2005, Following his release from prison in 2005 he sought political asylum in Oslo, which turned down his request. Now his attorneys feel the travel ban is a violation of his basic rights, calling to have the ban lifted.

Vanunu, 61, is also known as John Crossman, was working as a technician in Israel’s nuclear program. In 1986 he revealed details of that clandestine program to the British media. He was apprehended by Mossad agents in Italy, brought home, placed on trial and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, the trial was not held in a public forum, closed to the media. Eleven years of his sentence were spent in solitary confinement.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photo: Wikipedia, 2009)