We expect better

A dozen or so prominent members of various Scottish Church groups have felt compelled to make known their concerns for the rights of Mordechai Vanunu.

Vanunu is considered a traitor in Israel, having gathered, and transferred to foreign agencies, information on Israel’s nuclear programme. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his treachery. Having been recently paroled under certain restrictions, which he has repeatedly ignored, he is now serving a further six months detention. He is soon to be freed again but many believe he will continue to ignore his conditions of release and again end up behind bars.

The clergymen, and women, who have declared their concerns for Vanunu’s self-inflicted predicament have done so collectively and publicly in an open letter published on the website of the extremist and anti-Israel Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Responding to the letter, which highlights Vanunu’s just punishment while totally ignoring the danger in which he placed, and still places, Israel’s citizens by his actions, Scottish Friends of Israel wrote to each of the signatories. While accepting their right to give Vanunu support, SFI asked if they would be willing to pen a similar open letter in support of Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, three Israeli soldiers violently abducted over a year ago by

Palestinian terrorists. Only two replied. Barely concealing her lack of concern for the three Israelis, one grasped the opportunity to castigate Israel and the Israeli Defence Forces. The others, including some who have been entertained and had the hand of friendship extended to them by Scotland’s Jewish Communities, did not have the courtesy to respond to our plea. 

Considering the current influences some Scottish church representatives in Israel hold, as we approach the time of year that many of them consider a period of goodwill towards all men, is it not applicable to ask the twelve why they are unable, or unwilling, to personally, publicly and collectively demand, with equal firmness, the immediate release of Gilad, Eldad and Ehud?

We expect better from the Churches in Scotland.

SG

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