Editorial: A Time for Urgent Prayers
Hamodia - Front Page Editorial - June 11, 2012

On Wednesday, Israeli President Shimon Peres is scheduled to have dinner
with and receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack
Obama.

He is arriving with a clear mandate from the people of Israel and Jews
throughout the Diaspora, who have made it crystal-clear that they expect him
to do whatever he possibly can to persuade President Obama to end the
travesty of justice that has kept Jonathan Pollard behind bars for 27 years.

This meeting comes after years of intensive, herculean efforts on the part
of a committed team of selfless volunteers, led by Jonathan’s wife, Mrs.
Esther Pollard, to get the truth out. The thick White House file on Jonathan
Pollard is filled with factual and flawless arguments for why commutation to
time served is long overdue.

A long list of the highest-ranking former and current U.S officials,
including those with firsthand knowledge of the case, have written to
President Obama to impress upon him that enough is enough. It is now
increasingly clear to every unbiased observer that there is no logical
explanation or legitimate defense for keeping Pollard incarcerated.

It is difficult to think of another matter that has elicited such a unified
approach as the saga of Jonathan Pollard. From across the spectrum of Torah
Jewry, from the right to the far left of the political divide, the leaders
of the Reform and Conservative movements, and Jews and gentiles alike have
urged that Pollard be released.

The scene has been set. More than anything else, what is now needed are Klal
Yisrael’s prayers for Yehonatan Halevy ben Malkah. May the Ribbono shel
Olam, the Master of the World, listen to our prayers and place in the heart
of the leader of the free world the wisdom and the courage to do what is
right.

Last year, when Pollard mentioned that he was taking a certain type of
medication, a visitor commented that this medication necessitated drinking
large amounts of water.

“Thank G-d!,” Pollard replied. Noticing the puzzlement on his visitor’s
face, he hastened to explain.

“Thank G-d, I get to make a blessing so many times a day.”

May we merit that this coming Shabbat Jonathan will be able to recite the
Thanksgiving blessing on his release at the Kotel in Jerusalem, and may all
of Iisrael merit to answer amen.
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JUSTICE FOR JONATHAN POLLARD
Website: http://www.JonathanPollard.org
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