JERUSALEM - Interior Minister Ophir Pines-Paz decided Tuesday to extend the travel ban imposed on convicted nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu by
one more year.
"Vanunu still knows too much and poses a danger to Israel's national security," Pines-Paz said.
Upon Vanunu's release from prison last year,
Staying in Israel
Norway rejects Vanunu's asylum request / By Associated Press
Officials say nuclear whistleblower's application rejected due to formality; rule states request must be filed in country where applicant seeks refuge
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, former Justice Minister Yosef Lapid and Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided the best way to supervise Vanunu would be to impose certain restrictions on him.
Vanunu's passport was confiscated, a travel ban was imposed on him, and he was also prohibited from being interviewed by both local and international media.
Shows no remorse
In a letter sent to Vanunu's lawyer Avigdor Feldman, Pines-Paz said there is still a real concern that Vanunu may disclose sensitive information about Israel's nuclear capabilities and undermine national security.
"The fact that over the past year Vanunu has systematically, time after time, acted against the orders imposed on him, leads me to conclude that
this behavioral pattern will repeat itself all the more," the letter said.
However, Pines-Paz said the decision to extend the travel ban should not be viewed as another punishment.
"His motivation to undermine national security and publish highly secret information did not decrease," he said. "Therefore, there is no other choice."
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