Last year we went to war with Iraq over its supposed possession of weapons of mass destruction.

This year Israel has finally released a man imprisoned for 18 years after he blew the whistle on Israel's secret nuclear weapons programme.

Spot the difference.

Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli former nuclear technician and whistle-blower, was released from prison last week.

He served a full 18-year sentence, including the first 12 in solitary confinement.

Mr Vanunu broke the news of Israel's weapons arsenal to the Sunday Times in 1986, only to be kidnapped in Rome by agents of Mossad, Israel's secret services.

He was drugged and shipped to Israel. After a secret trial, he was sentenced to 18 years on charges of treason and espionage. The Israeli authorities repeatedly rejected his requests for early parole.

Amnesty International has protested on numerous occasions at the treatment meted out to Mr Vanunu. We have long called for his release.

We are now urging the Israeli authorities to lift the punitive restrictions placed on Mordechai's freedom.

Though he is finally out of prison, he has had his passport confiscated and severe restrictions placed on his freedom of movement, expression and association. A normal life is being made impossible for him.

It is time to end the harassment of Mordechai Vanunu and end the double standards over possession of weapons of mass destruction.

-Dave Clark, Brighton & Hove Amnesty International, Belgrave Place, Brighton