BBC: Israel's Secret Weapon 3 of 3

BBC DOCUMENTARY: Israel's Secret Weapon 3 of 3

Enforced Silence

Nothing illustrates this better than the sensitive issue of Dimona's cancer victims. In an Israeli documentary in 2002, Dimona workers said accidents had been routine. They spoke of explosions, fires and liquid and toxic gas leaks that they had to clean, often without protection. The authorities denied they had worked with radioactive materials. They have refused to compensate them or their families for their years of loyal service. Because of the strict secrecy rules they were even unable to fight for their rights.
When Correspondent approached one of the workers, who was dying of cancer, he refused to be interviewed - but with some regret. Unaware he was being filmed, he said: "I wanted to talk to you but I have been silenced.

"They came from intelligence and told me not to talk.
"They said I would be like Vanunu."
Vanunu has another year in jail.
When his sentence is finished he hopes to emigrate to America.

But Mr Horev has clearly let it be known he never intends to let Vanunu leave Israel.

Mordechai Vanunu has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2003.