Madam, - In 1986, motivated by the threat to the world of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, Mordechai Vanunu revealed that Israel had a clandestine nuclear arsenal.
He was then kidnapped by Mossad agents in Italy, tried in Israel and sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment. He served the full term, including 11 years in appalling conditions of solitary confinement, and was released last April.
One year on, even though he has no more secrets to reveal and poses no threat to national security, Vanunu is still in Israel against his will, with severe restrictions on his freedom of speech and movement. He now faces new charges for the "crimes" of speaking to foreign journalists and attempting to leave Israel (the latter when he tried to go to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve Mass).
The Israeli authorities should end this vindictive punishment now, lift the restrictions, drop the ludicrous charges, and let him go. - Yours, etc.,
PENELOPE DURELL, Garnish, Beara, Co Cork.