Home > Vanunu cause to be raised at Holyrood
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The issue of the freedom of Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli nuclear whistleblower, is to be raised in the Scottish Parliament.
Last week Mr Vanunu was charged with violating the terms of his release from prison three days after giving an interview in Jerusalem to The Herald. Mr Vanunu was sent to prison for 18 years after revealing to the world that Israel was developing nuclear weapons.
He was freed last April, but is forbidden to speak to foreign reporters and cannot leave east Jerusalem. Mr Vanunu could be jailed for up to two years if convicted again by a court, the Israeli justice ministry has said.
Colin Fox, leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, said last night he would be asking Jack McConnell, Scotland’s first minister, what representations the Scottish Executive would make to the Israeli government to allow Mr Vanunu to visit Scotland to take up his role as rector of Glasgow University.
Mr Vanunu’s treatment by the Israeli government has provoked an outcry across the world and an international campaign group has been lobbying the Israeli government for the restrictions on him to be lifted.
Ernest Rodker, of the Campaign to Free Vanunu, said yesterday he would be lobbying the House of Lords and would use The Herald’s interview with Mr Vanunu - published in Saturday’s edition - to highlight his plight.
MSPs including Malcolm Chisholm, the communities minister, Nicola Sturgeon, deputy leader of the SNP, and Donald Gorrie, Liberal Democrat list MSP for Central Scotland, have urged Westminster to exert pressure on Israel to allow him to come to Glasgow.
The Herald has started a campaign to secure Mr Vanunu’s freedom on the basis that his human rights are being breached.
He was elected as the 119th rector of the university last December.