Israel arrests UK reporter who exposed nukes-paper

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26539519.htm

JERUSALEM, May 26 (Reuters) - Israeli police arrested on Wednesday a British journalist who in 1986 exposed the Jewish state's most sensitive secrets in an interview with nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu, an Israeli newspaper said. The Yedioth Aharonoth web site said Peter Hounam was in the custody of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service and being questioned on suspicion of committing "security offences". A gag order prevented publication of further details.

The Israeli police declined comment. The Prime Minister's Office, which oversees the Shin Bet, confirmed a gag order was in place. Hounam did not answer calls to his mobile phone.

In 1986, Hounam secured an exclusive interview with Vanunu, a former technician at the Israeli atomic reactor in Dimona. His story in Britain's Sunday Times led independent analysts to conclude Israel had stockpiled as many as 400 nuclear weapons.

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[benburch]

1. If this were not Israel...

I would call this a fascist tactic. But of course we all know that Israel could never descend into fascism... :(

[keithyboy]

3. The 'only democracy in the ME'

Yes, it behaves a lot like the democracy called America and Great Britain.

[Nlighten1]

10. No...Israel would NEVER become fascist would it?

Dripping with sarcasm.

[Massacure]

2. I take it Israel doesn't have free speach laws?

[CulturalNomad]

4. The only democracy in the middle-east ......

repeat ad infinitum and all the vacuum heads will believe

[burythehatchet]

5. Israel IS a democracy

My ass DOES smell like roses

[David__77]

6. The practice of "banning" individuals.

I know of two countries that have "banned" individuals who are supposedly free--forbidding them to meet with or speak with people. Israel is one of them, and the other is located in Africa.

[CBHagman]

7. As soon as they let Mordechai Vanunu out, they arrest someone new.

And under great secrecy. I fear they're torturing Hounam. God knows when we'll hear another word on him.

[Fear]

8. Ironic?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1668081&mesg_id=1668081

[peterh]

9. I can see Scalia now….

Arrest that critter….the heck with just confiscating the recorder….it could happen…

[Jim Sagle]

11. Yessssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rooboy]

12. WTF is that supposed to mean?

[Don Claybrook]

13. Allow me to interpret

I think it's a celebratory 'yesssssss' from the same contingent that thinks Rachel Corrie was a 'dumb bitch' and that anything Israel does is good and right and justified. This would include the murder of Palestinian children who shouldn't have been truant from school, and it would include finding ways to justify killing protesters in a refugee camp.

So I think this was a "yessssss" in celebrating the fact that even though it may have taken 18 long years, Israel is finally able to get even with someone who would dare tell the truth.

Now is the time for all good progressives to come together in a celebration of intimidation, in praise of unbridled militarism, and in jingoistic pride of cold-blooded murder.

[Malikshah]

14. Spot on

Congratulations-- a spot on interpretation of messages to ensure they won't be deleted, etc.

Alas, with this interpretation you will now be pigeon holed as a moral relativist at best, and a terrorist supporter at worst. It is nature of the discourse as, no doubt, you well aware.

Clearly stated and nicely done.

[struggle4progress]

15. British journalist making documentary on Vanunu freed after interrogation

A British journalist was released Thursday, a day after he was arrested by Israeli security agents and his hotel room searched in connection with a documentary he was making on nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu.
The detention of Peter Hounam reflected Israel's fear of more leaks about its nuclear weapons program.
A gag order was imposed on details of the arrest. It appeared Hounam had arranged an indirect interview through an Israeli activist with Vanunu, who was released last month on condition he not hold meetings with foreigners or give interviews.
<snip>
His lawyer said Hounam was questioned for eight hours by Israeli security.
<snip>
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/05/27/international1421EDT0616.DTL

See also discussion at
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=585392

[Andromeda]

16. Dupe..

.