"I'm a hero... There's no need for a Jewish state - Jews can live anywhere; a Palestinian state is sufficient... The nuclear reactor in Dimona should be destroyed just like the reactor in Iraq... Judaism and Islam are retarded religions..." So says Mordechai Vanunu in an "interview" with Defense Ministry officials taped two months ago in his prison cell. The recording will be broadcast on Channel Ten tonight.
Vanunu is about to end his 18-year jail sentence, which was handed down after he was convicted of divulging Israeli nuclear secrets. He is scheduled to be released two days from now, but will be placed under several restrictions.
Vanunu worked in the Dimona nuclear plant in the Negev for several years, and then traveled around the world with sensitive photographs and information from the center in his possession. After converting to Christianity in Australia, he made the information known to the London Sunday Times, which published his story and photos on October 5, 1986, turning the world's attention to Israel's nuclear capacities. Before the story was published, Israeli agents captured Vanunu and brought him to Israel for trial, where he was convicted on charges of espionage and treason. He has not cooperated with Israeli officials since then.
Despite his history, Vanunu does not see himself as a traitor: "Yes, it's true that I signed a commitment to secrecy, but all I wanted was to inform the world of information that Israel wished to hide... It's your own fault, and of your psychologists, that you didn't detect the potential in me..."
Vanunu is against the publication of the interview, and has filed a complaint with defense officials. He claims he was told that his privacy would not be infringed.
Vanunu knows that he will not be permitted to leave Israel when he is released, though he says, "We'll see about that." He similarly will not be permitted to speak with reporters or foreigners.
Vanunu is about to end his 18-year jail sentence, which was handed down after he was convicted of divulging Israeli nuclear secrets. He is scheduled to be released two days from now, but will be placed under several restrictions.
Vanunu worked in the Dimona nuclear plant in the Negev for several years, and then traveled around the world with sensitive photographs and information from the center in his possession. After converting to Christianity in Australia, he made the information known to the London Sunday Times, which published his story and photos on October 5, 1986, turning the world's attention to Israel's nuclear capacities. Before the story was published, Israeli agents captured Vanunu and brought him to Israel for trial, where he was convicted on charges of espionage and treason. He has not cooperated with Israeli officials since then.
Despite his history, Vanunu does not see himself as a traitor: "Yes, it's true that I signed a commitment to secrecy, but all I wanted was to inform the world of information that Israel wished to hide... It's your own fault, and of your psychologists, that you didn't detect the potential in me..."
Vanunu is against the publication of the interview, and has filed a complaint with defense officials. He claims he was told that his privacy would not be infringed.
Vanunu knows that he will not be permitted to leave Israel when he is released, though he says, "We'll see about that." He similarly will not be permitted to speak with reporters or foreigners.