Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., March 10, 2009 Adar 14, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:55 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 23:39 05/03/2009
Vanunu: I don't want Nobel Prize after Peres got one
By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel News, Nuclear, Peres 

Israel's nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu requested on Thursday for his name to be removed from a shortlist of candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize because President Shimon Peres had received the award.

Vanunu said in a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee that he did not wish "to belong to a list of laureates that also includes [President] Shimon Peres, the man behind Israeli atomic policy."

The nuclear whistleblower was convicted of treason and imprisoned for 18 years after telling a British newspaper in 1986 about his work as a technician at Israel's main atomic reactor, disclosures which cracked the secrecy around the assumed Israeli nuclear arsenal.
Advertisement

Human rights organizations have put Vanunu's name forward for the prestigious prize every year since he was released from jail in 2004.

Vanunu added: "Peres established the reactor in Dimona and developed Israel's nuclear weapons program... In the same way as Pakistan's [nuclear scientist] Dr. Khan, Peres was the man behind the proliferation of nuclear weapons in South Africa and other states. He was also behind the nuclear test in South Africa in 1978."

Peres won the 1994 award together with then prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for the peace talks in which he participated as foreign minister that resulted in the Oslo Accords.

Israel has never confirmed or denied having a nuclear weapons program. But outside experts have said it has the world's sixth-largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, which Peres is believed to have been instrumental in developing.


Related articles:
  • Nuclear whistleblower Vanunu appeals jail term for foreign ties
  • It's time to free Vanunu
  • Vanunu convicted of violating order barring foreign contacts
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Katsav rape trial
    Katsav's brother attacks decision to indict former president for rape.
    Covering up
    Assad says alleged nuclear site hit by IAF has been built over.
      1.   Vanunu 2005, 2006, 2008 video 19:40  |  eileen fleming 05/03/09
      2.   God bless you Vanunu. 20:22  |  Lou Medel 05/03/09
      3.   Vanunu, will never get prestigous Nobel Prize. 20:41  |  Stephen. 05/03/09
      4.   Vanunu.Stick to grandstanding & "entertaining" lady groupies as 20:51  |  PETER SM 05/03/09
      5.   Traitor 20:10  |  Mister Fied 05/03/09
      6.   Hypocracy par execllence! 21:09  |  Cyrus the Great 05/03/09
      7.   Vanunu deserves Nobel prize 21:18  |  Rory 05/03/09
      8.   MEDEKL no need for a blessing Vanunu got paid for his treason 21:36  |  PETER SM 05/03/09
      9.   MEDEL He got paid for his treason he does not need the blessing 22:06  |  PETER SM 05/03/09
      10.   to #4 Rory - Nobel prize for treachery? 22:06  |  Robin 05/03/09
      11.   he deserves another 18 years 22:14  |  Jack 05/03/09
      12.   Vanunu the entertainer 22:30  |  ron 05/03/09
      13.   but Mr. Vanunu, 22:33  |  nina 05/03/09
      14.   What has Vanunu done? 23:23  |  Mark Lincoln 05/03/09
      15.   The Noble is is worthless 23:41  |  Mike 05/03/09
      16.   Hypocracy par execllence! 00:12  |  Cyrus the Great 06/03/09
      17.   It is quite possible Mr. Vanunu was used to tell to the 00:36  |  17 06/03/09
      18.   Peres 06:40  |  eileen fleming 09/03/09
      19.   Isn`t that just like these non nobel`s;they get you for treason 01:45  |  glenna 10/03/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel goes to the polls
    Conflict in Gaza
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    02:40 IAEA: Arab states crucial to resolving Iran nuclear issue
    20:47 Hezbollah: War with Israel unlikely in near future
    22:22 Barak, Ron Arad's relatives join Shalits in protest tent
    22:55 Police foil stabbing attack in Jerusalem
    19:23 Poll: Hamas more popular after Gaza offensive
    20:14 Assad: Alleged nuclear site hit by IAF has been built over
    22:24 Hamas official hails British MP George Galloway as 'hero' in Gaza
    10:48 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    21:14 Back in fashion: New Knesset speaker to lift jeans ban
    20:44 Justice Ministry: Criticism of Katsav indictment is groundless
    19:10 Slaughterhouse workers attack boss to protest layoffs
    17:13 Netanyahu looks to rally Likud MKs frustrated over portfolios
    14:44 French filmmaker slammed for likening illegals to WWII Jews
    18:25 Tel Aviv police hunt head of women trafficking ring
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved