JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu has asked to be removed as a candidate for a Nobel Peace Prize.
It is the second straight year that Vanunu has asked that his nomination be removed, according to reports.
In a letter to the Oslo-based Norwegian Nobel Institute, Vanunu said he did not want a prize that has been awarded to Israeli President Shimon Peres because he considers Peres the father of Israeli nuclear weapons and does not want to be associated with him.
Vanunu served 18 years in an Israeli prison for discussing details of his work as a technician at the Dimona nuclear plant with the Sunday Times of London. He reportedly revealed Israeli nuclear secrets and gave photographs of the plant’s operation to the British newspaper.
