The story of Mordechai Vanunu and Israel’s secret nuclear weapons program. Vanunu, seen as a traitor in his own country, was recently released after spending 18 years in an Israeli prison for treason and espionage -- 11 in solitary confinement -- for exposing Israel's secret nuclear bomb factory to the world. He has been abandoned by most of his family and an American couple, who have legally adopted him, are among the few visitors he was permitted.
Following the documentary, is an exclusive Link TV interview with Vanunu, in which he accuses some of America’s most prestigious media outlets, including the New York Times and CNN, of censorship.
On 5/17/2004, the film was awarded the prestigious Peabody Award at a ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. To date, Link TV is the only U.S. broadcaster that has aired this controversial film.
Spotlight is a weekly series of investigative reports from around the world, introduced by author and Journalist Mark Hertsgaard. Mr. Hertsgaard’s latest book is “The Eagle's Shadow: Why America Fascinates and Infuriates the World."
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Spotlight Related Websites:
Global Security Institute
Center for Defense Information
Free Mordechai Vanunu
The U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu
Peace Heroes
ISRAEL'S RESPONSE (From Israeli Justice Ministry response to 1995 Amnesty International Report, communicated by Justice Ministry Spokesperson on 7/5/95):
"We wish to point out that, according to Amnesty International itself, Mordechai Vanunu is not a prisoner of conscience. Amnesty has called for Vanunu's release on the basis that his solitary confinement is a violation of human rights. Although there are thousands of similarly situated individuals all over the world, to the best of our knowledge Amnesty has not campaigned for the release of such prisoners on these grounds. Israel maintains that Amnesty's allegations of Vanunu's inadequate prison conditions are unjustified. Vanunu, a former worker at the Atomic Research Center in Dimona, still poses a serious security threat to Israel since he continuously vows to make public additional secret information in his possession. Vanunu has chosen to remain alone in his cell by twice refusing the offer of a cell mate.
Vanunu has unfettered access to the Israeli Courts including the High Court of Justice, which he has made use of on numerous occasions. Every aspect of Vanunu's case has been in accordance with the principles of law and due process." Read more...
