Help Jonathan Hear the Shofar in Jerusalem
July 14, 2003
Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, better known as the “Rambam,” is considered to
be one the greatest Jewish scholars who ever lived. His codification of Jewish
law, called the Mishna Torah, written almost a thousand years ago, is a primary
pillar upon which Torah-observant Jews live their lives today.
What does the Rambam consider to be the most important of all mitzvot,
the precepts by which we live? Is it recital of Shema Yisrael twice a day, when
we accept upon ourselves the rule of G-d? Is it the weekly observance of
Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath? Or perhaps, the dietary laws of Kashrut, or laws
pertaining to family purity? The Rambam writes, “there is no greater mitzvah
than the redemption of a captive”, or as it is known in Hebrew, Pidion Shvuim. His ruling is based on the Talmud, where it
is written, “And Rabbi Yochanan said, “the sword is worse than death, hunger is
worse than the sword, and captivity is the worst because it includes them all.”
Rabbi Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch, a later compilation of
law based upon the Rambam’s earlier work, adds, “every moment that a captive is
not redeemed, when redemption is possible, is if one is spilling blood.”
Israel has always maintained a cardinal rule, that of redeeming
captives, prisoners of war. Every Israeli who dons a uniform knows that should
be fall into enemy hands, the state of Israel will do anything and everything
possible to bring about his return.
In the past Israel released over one thousand Arab terrorists for the
return of four soldiers. More than likely other deals, not always made public,
have been implemented to bring Israeli captives home. For over twenty years the
government has attempted to find and bring about the release of soldiers
missing in action since the War in Lebanon. Unfortunately, without success.
Dealing with Syria and Hizballah is very close to impossible. Yet Israel has
not given up and surely, one day, their fate will be determined and they will
be brought back home.
However, there is one POW, a shavui, a captive, who is not in the hands
of the Syrians, the Hizballah, or any other Arab country, for that matter. He
has been held by Israel’s ‘best friend.’ And he has been rotting in an American
federal penitentiary for over eighteen years and a half years.
Jonathan Pollard is no different from any other Israeli MIA or POW. He
provided Israel with intelligence information vital to the survival of the
state, information the United States neglected to turn over to Israel. The
information withheld from Israel included Syrian, Iraqi, Libyan and Iranian
nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare capabilities - being developed for
use against Israel. It also included information on ballistic missile
development by these countries and information on planned terrorist attacks
against Israeli civilian targets. Israel was legally entitled to this vital
security information according to a 1983 Memorandum of Understanding between
the two countries.
Jonathan
Pollard never had a trial. At the request of both the U.S. and Israeli
governments, he entered into a plea agreement, which spared both governments a
long, difficult, expensive and potentially embarrassing trial. He fulfilled his
end of the plea agreement, cooperating fully with the prosecution.
Nevertheless, Pollard was never indicted for harming the United States. He was
never indicted for compromising codes, agents, or war plans. He was never
charged with treason. He was indicted on only one charge: one count of passing
classified information to an ally, without intent to harm the United States. Yet,
Pollard received a life sentence and a recommendation that he never be paroled
- in complete violation of the plea agreement he had reached with the
government.
A Court of Appeals, in a two to one ruling, rejected Pollard’s appeal,
mostly on procedural grounds. In a dissenting opinion, Court of Appeals Judge
Stephen Williams called the case "a fundamental miscarriage of justice,"
and wrote that he would have ordered that Pollard's sentence be vacated.
In October, 1998 the President Clinton promised to release Pollard as
part of the Wye Accords, signed by Arafat and Netanyahu. At the last minute
Clinton reneged, due to threats by CIA chief George Tenet to resign should
Pollard be released. This is the same George Tenet who missed all signals
leading to 9/11, and who recently fed President George W. Bush false
information about Iraqi attempts to purchase uranium, which Bush mentioned in
his State of the Union address.
Ehud Barak could have requested Pollard’s release by executive clemency
on Clinton’s last day of office. But he didn’t.
It is now clear that many of the episodes Jonathan Pollard was thought
to have a hand in, bringing about the deaths of American agents in Eastern
Europe and the Soviet Union, had nothing to do with him. Rather that was the
work of American spies, former CIA employee Aldrich
Ames and former FBI agent Robert Hanssen. Yet Pollard is still in jail.
Sunday, September 21, has been declared “International Solidarity
Day for Jonathan Pollard,” when people
around the world will demonstrate solidarity and support for the release of
Jonathan Pollard.
Activities worldwide will consist of: Prayer vigils, studying the
mitzvah of redeeming captives, learning about Jonathan Pollard,
petition-signing for the release of Jonathan from prison, a letter writing
campaign to President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon, demonstrations, marches,
etc.
A major event is being planned at Independence Park opposite the
American Consulate in Jerusalem, consisting of speeches by Rabbis, members of
the Knesset and other well-known public figures and famous singers. Jonathan
Pollard will also be presented with the Am Yisrael Medal of Honor in
recognition for his tremendous self-sacrifice which led to his saving,
literally, hundreds of thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish lives during the
Persian Gulf War. The day will culminate in a silent candle-light vigil/march
to the Knesset.
I call on Jews and non-Jews worldwide to take an active role in
organizing this most vital event – remember, every day Jonathan Pollard sits in
prison, it is as if we are allowing the spilling of his blood. For more
information, write: jonathanpollard_day@hotmail.com. Let’s assure that this
coming Rosh Hashana, Jonathon Pollard will hear the Shofar, together with his
wife Esther, in Jerusalem.
With blessing from Hebron,
This is David Wilder
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