Hiding the numbers and places of nuclear warheads, and firepower of armies is something, and hiding the nuclear weapon capabilities by Israel or Iran is always something else. Israel have claimed and pursued the right to own and develop nuclear weapon long ago, and now Iran is rich enough to do it to.

Such countries must give up those toys, because its dangerous

Vanunu unveiled Israeli usual media dimming policy, stabbing it from the back really bad. and its expected from Israeli system to make a story of him to teach discipline to similar employees

Khaled Salem, Cairo, Egypt

Vanunu's release conditions are those specified by the Israeli court, under whose jurisdiction he was legally convicted. He was specifically banned from speaking to foreigners.

As an irresponsible journalist, Peter Hounam decided he would get around the literal restrictions by using an intermediary.

The Israeli court quite rightly identified this as a scam to undermine the restrictions put in place.

The foolish Vanunu now has a further six months in the slammer to contemplate the wisdom of his actions.

I'm only sad that Peter Hounam, with his contempt for the judicial system of the only democracy in the region, isn't joining him.

BigE, London, UK

When did Vanunu decide to become a Christian, not before he was pust in jail, I believe, very convinent. It is rediculous that he doesn't want to speak Hebrew, his whole attitude doesn't help his case. Maybe if he said he was sorry the authorities would have let him go.

Renate Baramy, Ramat Hasharon, Israel

Israel continues to persecute a man whose Christian beliefs led him to alert the world to their secret nuclear bomb development. Kidnapped by Mossad in a foreign country; given 18 years, most of which was served in solitary confinement then, upon completing his sentence, was banned from leaving the country or to talk to journalists. Now he has been given six months for speaking to the media.

The Israeli government argues that he could still reveal secrets about Dimona. Poppycock. What he knew about the plant way back when is now very much ancient history. This is victimization, pure and simple. Let him leave the country and live out the rest of his life without unjust harassment..

Jojam Franc, Sydney, Australia

Sir,
Why is the normally vociferous fundamentalist Christian so quite in regard to the persecution of a convert to Christianity, Israel First?

SC, London, United Kingdom

Vanunu's revelations inspired Saddam and the Iranians to seek nuclear wepaons. His motives may not have been bad but the results were dire: Gulf war II and a nuclear arms race in the Middle-East. He should have kept mum, he may single handedly cause armageddon. Is he from Megiddo?
Israeli justice is surpisingly lenient with spies. Few get over 15 years.
You may recall what happens to MI5 operatives who reveal British secrets (remember Spycatcher?). In the USA nuclear spies recieved death sentences.
I know its hard but Israel is not in Western Europe and security and secrecy do need to be observed sometimes. Having said that I feel for Vanunu. Perhaps the Times should stop encouraging him to give interviews.

Jonathan Lowenstein, Tel-Aviv, Israel