Question of true justice
published: Monday | February 9, 2004
THE EDITOR, Sir:
WE SPEAK of Palestinian terrorism but we turn a blind eyes to Israel's nuclear programme and the potential problems it poses to that region and the world community. Where is the United Nations and Mr. Bush that speak so clearly on the issue of justice? Why is Israel free to have a nuclear programme? Are they blessed with greater social conscience and innate ability to be more responsible than their Arab neighbours who also aspire to have a nuclear programme for security? Why are we not bestowing a world community Medal of Honour on Mordechai Vanunu for exposing such danger to the world? Peace can only be attained by collective measures of inclusion of all races coming together to solve their problems.
Who is Mordechai Vanunu? He was a technician at Dimona, Israel's nuclear installation, from 1976 to 1985. He discovered that the plant was secretly producing nuclear weapons. His conscience made him speak out and in 1986 he provided the London Sunday Times with the facts and photos they used to tell the world about Israel's nuclear weapons programme. His evidence showed that Israel had stockpiled up to 200 nuclear warheads, with no debate or authorisation from its own citizens. On 30th September 1986, Mordechai was lured from London to Rome. There he was kidnapped, drugged and shipped to Israel. After a secret trial he was sentenced to 18 years for 'treason' and 'espionage' though he had received no payment and communicated with no foreign power. He was held in complete isolation for 11 years, only allowed occasional visits from his family, lawyer and a priest, conducted through a metal screen.
It is time leaders of the world community start using one yardstick or barometer for justice for all people and drop the injustice-measuring table for people of non-Caucasian origin.
