Mordechai Vanunu to be freed

Mordechai Vanunu will be freed in April after spending 18 
years in solitary confinement. A former nuclear technician, 
Vanunu's "crime" was to blow the whistle on Israeli secret 
nuclear weapons program. Mr Vanunu was kidnapped by the Israeli 
secret service and tried for treason.

His supporters around the world are planning to come to Israel 
and meet the man who had the courage to do what he did.

Mr Vanunu has paid a huge personal price for doing what he 
believed in and alerting the world to Israel's nuclear programs. 
His stoicism and courage inspired many people around the world. 
Despite the considerable attempts to have Mr Vanunu released, the 
Israeli authorities remained steadfast in their persecution 
throughout his sentence.

Israel has still to officially admit having a nuclear arsenal, an 
issue on which the US remains very silent.

Mr Vanunu is one of the candidates for this year's Nobel Peace 
Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Institute received a record number of 
nominees this year — the Nobel Committee will have to choose 
among 129 individuals and 44 organisations.

"I'm speculating about Vanunu [winning], although I don't think 
that the Nobel Committee will be sufficiently daring to provoke 
Israel", said Stein Toennesson, director of the Peace Research 
Institute in Oslo.

The list of names is secret but some people publicise their 
choices. The winner will be announced in October.

Last month news broke out that US President Bush and British 
Prime Minister Blair were on the list. The Committee received 
thousands of e-mails protesting against their nominations.