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| By: israelinsider staff and partners |
| Published: February 28, 2007 |
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Two prominent Torah Sages, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv of Jerusalem, and Rabbi Aron Leib Schteinman of Bnei Brak, have signed an unprecedented letter to President George Bush, calling for the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, Israel Army Radio reported.
This is the first time that leading Torah Sages have ever addressed a foreign head of State about any matter, and the first time that these two stages have signed a joint letter to address a matter of urgency not directly related to their own Torah communities.
The sages' joint letter to President Bush was the result of a series of meetings with Rabbi Pesach Lerner, executive vice president of the National Council of Young Israel. Rabbi Lerner briefed the Torah sages on the case of Jonathan Pollard, who has been in prison for 22 years for his service to the security of the State of Israel, explaining that the case of Jonathan Pollard is not just the mitzvah of Pidyan Shvuyim [ransoming prisoners], but the special case of doing so for one who sacrificed himself for the Nation of Israel.
Jonathan Pollard's wife, in a statement to IDF Radio this morning, called on Prime Minister Olmert to follow the example of the Torah sages by making an immediate demand for Jonathan's release. "Mr. Olmert does not have to free murderers or terrorists. He does not have to negotiate with our enemies. All he has to do is bring Jonathan home now and he will have blessing and the thanks of the Nation," she said.
Esther Pollard told IDF Radio, "After 22 years in prison, 22 years of torture and affliction and the worst possible treatment by the Government of Israel -- and by the Americans -- Jonathan deserves to be home in Israel well in advance of Pesach so that he can truly celebrate the Holiday of Freedom."
"Purim," Esther said, is the holiday of v'na'afoch hu [turnabout], and it is fast approaching. It is time for a real turnabout! Let Mr. Olmert open his mouth and demand Jonathan's immediate release. Bringing Jonathan home now will bring the blessing of Heaven upon us and a truly joyful Purim for all of Israel!"
The letter reads as follows:
Dear Mr. President,
We appeal to you as President of the greatest power on earth, the epitome of compassion and generosity, to grant clemency to Mr. Jonathan Pollard who has been incarcerated for more than twenty years.
With deep respect and appreciation,
(signed: Rabbis Elyashiv and Shteinman) |
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