Israel ready to expel BBC reporter

[Englander]

Chris McGreal in Jerusalem
Wednesday January 26, 2005
The Guardian

Israel is poised to expel a senior BBC journalist it accuses of criminal defiance of censorship laws over an interview with the nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu.

Simon Wilson, deputy chief of the BBC's Jerusalem bureau, has been unable to return to Israel since the beginning of the year, when his work permit expired.

The government says no new visa will be issued until Wilson agrees to sign a letter acknowledging that he deliberately defied Israeli law, apologising and promising that it will not happen again.

BBC sources say that the corporation is unwilling to agree to such a move, in which case Wilson will be barred from Israel indefinitely.

More at;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1398641,00.html


Israel bars senior BBC producer

Wednesday, 26 January, 2005, 13:05 GMT

A senior BBC producer has been barred from re-entering Israel over his alleged role in an interview of nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu.

Israeli authorities are refusing to renew Simon Wilson's visa, preventing him from returning to his post as deputy chief of the Jerusalem bureau.

Mr Wilson is accused of deliberately defying Israeli law by not submitting the interview to the authorities.

The BBC has said it sees no reason why Mr Wilson should be refused entry.

He has not returned to Israel since his visa expired at the end of last year.

More at;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4208619.stm

[Djinn]

1. if Israel wants to make an easy target of itself

they should keep up with the Vanunu bashing. It's possible (though I obviously don't agree) to respond to IDF and barrier criticisms using the "suicide bombers" argument but there is NO justification for the treatment of Vanunu.

He's ALREADY spilled his guts, we all know Israel has weapons - whatever damage that info did (nil in my view) it's out now - if after spending nearly 20 years mostly in solitary confinement, has has had access to anymore secrets then Israel has waaay bigger problems.

This just makes them look like children

[Englander]

2. Yes,& vindictive ones,at that....

What's the point of continuing to persecute Vanunu,why isn't he allowed to emigrate?