Journalist in Vanunu case barred from Israel as 'risk to security'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Peter Hounam, the journalist who published Mordechai Vanunu's disclosures about Israel's atomic weapons programme in 1986, has been barred from the country.
Peter Hounam, the journalist who published Mordechai Vanunu's disclosures about Israel's atomic weapons programme in 1986, has been barred from the country.
Meir Vanunu, the nuclear technician's brother, criticised the ruling as an attempt to prevent Mr Hounam testifying when the Israeli Supreme Court considers Mr Vanunu's appeal next week against a ban on leaving the country, imposed when he was freed in April after serving 18 years for espionage.
Mr Hounam, who worked for The Sunday Times, was deported last month after he made a BBC documentary, which included a clandestine interview with Mr Vanunu, who had been ordered not to speak to foreigners. Yael Lotan, an Israeli writer and anti-nuclear campaigner, interviewed Mr Vanunu but no new information was disclosed.
Since his release Mr Vanunu, who converted to Christianity before his abduction by Mossad agents in Rome and forced return to Israel, has been living in a hostel at St George's Anglican cathedral in Jerusalem. Right-wing extremists have made death threats so he seldom ventures outside.
An interior ministry spokes-woman claimed Mr Hounam was a danger to Israel's security and might prompt Mr Vanunu to reveal more secrets. Meir Vanunu dismissed this as ridiculous. "Mordechai has ... spoken to many people. If he still poses a danger, why do they let him meet them? Perhaps Peter Hounam would have helped expose how hollow the argument is."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments