Israeli nuclear whistle-blower Vanunu offered a move to Oslo
Moredchai Vanunu was jailed and served an 18-year sentence after discussing his work at the Dimona nuclear reactor with a British newspaper in 1986.
By REUTERSIsrael Israel News Mordechai Vanunu(photo credit: Reuters)
OSLO– Norway offered on Friday to let Israeli nuclear whistle-blower Mordechai Vanunu live in Oslo with his Norwegian wife, but she said it was unclear if Israel will allow him to travel.Vanunu, 62, converted to Christianity in 1986 and married theology professor Kristin Joachimsen in Jerusalem in 2015 after first meeting her in Israel almost a decade earlier.She applied for him to be allowed to come to Norway under rules for family reunification and a spokesman for the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration said permission had been granted.Vanunu was jailed and served an 18-year sentence after discussing his work at the Dimona nuclear reactor with a British newspaper in 1986. The interview led experts to conclude the facility had produced fissile material for as many as 200 atomic warheads.After his release from jail in 2004, defense authorities imposed strict conditions on Vanunu, including from traveling abroad, saying he was a security risk and might have more secrets to tell.Joachimsen said the Israeli restrictions were up for review in November and expressed hopes they would be lifted.“We have waited long enough for the case to be solved on Israel’s side,” she said.The restrictions have been upheld by the Supreme Court.