Right-wingers attack Arab MK at Vanunu release

Jerusalem Post ^ | Apr. 21, 2004 | JPOST.COM STAFF

[yonif]

A large contingent of right-wing extremists led by activist Baruch Marzel protested Mordechai Vanunu's release Wednesday from Ashkelon's Shikma prison by attacking Arab MK Issam Mahoul (Hadash), screaming profanities at Vanunu supporters and interrupting their media interviews, and scuffling with police.

Over 200 Vanunu supporters began assembling in the early morning hours chanting slogans and holding banners aloft. Soon after, right-wing anti-Vanunu demonstrators began arriving, holding banners of their own, and provoking other demonstrators.

A large number of journalists and nearly 60 television camera crews were spread out to cover the release, which was transmitted live on all media outlets in the country and several abroad.

The event was orchestrated by the Israel Prisons Authority, who went so far as to provide a camera crew of their own and a live feed from inside the prison walls as Vanunu prepared to leave. Police however acted too late to stop right-wing demonstrators from creating havoc within the gathering, threatening journalists and spokespeople.

After Vanunu's release, right wing extremists flocked towards camera crews and protested vehemently whenever a pro-Vanunu spokesman was interviewed, barging the interviewee and journalist, thus preventing any interviews from being completed. Baruch Marzel was quoted on TV as saying that his 'people' would not let Vanunu rest, "to the end of his days".

Dozens of right-wing demonstrators shouting "death to all Arabs" and "Vanunu is a son of a bitch" physically attacked Arab MK Issam Mahoul (Hadash), who was there to show solidarity with the released prisoner. Police managed to extricate a shaken Mahoul from the fracas.

The right-wingers were there, they claimed, to protest the release of Vanunu while Noam Federman remains incarcerated.

Hebron resident Noam Federman was detained for suspected involvement in a terrorist cell responsible for the deaths of seven Palestinians, and the planting of a bomb at an Arab girls' school in Jerusalem. Federman was transferred to Shikma prison, where he was punished for speaking to Vanunu. Vanunu later claimed that Federman had been "making life a hell for him", cursing him and inciting other prisoners against him.

Vanunu's release was held up Wednesday morning when the famous prisoner refused to give his new address following the publication of details of his new home in Jaffa.

[Crazieman]

Vanunu supporters aren't left-wing?

[GeronL]

Israeli's are getting sick and tired of terrorists and traitors.

[yonif]

They are left-wing. Though most of Israel's left-wing hates Vanunu just like the right does. Most of those people there were anti-Israel foreign activists.

[sarasmom]

Which side is the free Pollard side?
Just curious.

[rmlew]

They are left-wing.
MK Issam Mahoul is a member of HaDaSh, the Israeli/Arab Communist party that calls for an end to Israel.

[yonif]

Which side is the free Pollard side?

Most, if not all, Israelis support the freeing of Pollard, just like any country would want its spy released from prison. Just like the US wanted its spies released from Russian prisons.

[Coroner]

I hope Pollard got all our nuke secrets and israel puts them to good use!!

[joesnuffy]

right wing extremists....according to left wing rags......

[sarasmom]

Do keep up on basic traitor spy vs traitor spy stories!
Pollard sold our most sophisticated intelligence capabilities to Israel, who promptly sold them to everyone else,effectively partially blinding the USA for a time.

BTW, the primary reason the subject of this thread was imprisoned was for revealing Israels nuclear capability.

Israel has nukes, and they also have the best military force in the Middle East.
They just lack the national will to defend themselves against terrorism.
It's a liberal socialist victim mentallity thing.

[sarasmom]

What do you think is "bullspit" ?
That Pollard was a traitor to the USA and caused us severe damage?
Or that Israel re-sold the information Pollard sold them?
DUH!
Israel may be located in what is traditionally regarded by Christians as Holy Land, but that does not mean former and current governments of Israel are "Holy".
Israel is bent more socialist than democratic.
Israel could go "Spanish" on us at the drop of a hat.
That is what one expects from socialist regimes.
Do you deny that Israel is a socialist country?

[jagrmeister]

Spies know the risks going in. What peeves most Americans about Pollard is that Israel is supposed to be an ally and many of those pushing for his release seem to want to let Israel off the hook.