Va'anunu and the Bomb

Overview

Mordechai Va'anunu was the man who was determined to tell the world about Israel's nuclear capabilities and, by doing so, created a world scandal. Va'anunu worked as a nuclear technician between 1977 and 1985, separating plutonium from uranium at the top-secret Israeli nuclear facility. Disgusted by how Israel treated him, and with a growing awareness of the dangers of nuclear weapons, Va'anunu collected evidence by taking 60 photos of the top-secret plutonium plant. Fast forward to September 1986, when The Sunday Times brought Vanunu to London and kept him isolated while they verified his story about Israel's nuclear plant. After weeks of isolation in a hotel, he popped out for a newspaper. A beautiful blonde by the news stand caught his eye and he followed her until he plucked up the courage to speak to the mysterious woman. They agreed to meet several more times and Cindy, as she was known to him, bought tickets for them to take a short break in Rome. This, however, was to be Va'anunu's downfall. Cindy was, in fact, a secret agent for Mossad, the Israeli secret service. He was drugged and smuggled back to Israel where he was tried and jailed for 18 years. He was released last year but was re-arrested for violating his conditions. While he remains a traitor to Israelis, he is heralded as a saviour for nuclear openness to many around the world.

Episode Information