Text: Dep. Minister Edri's Letter to U.S. Sec. of State Rice

The Knesset

Jacob Edri
Member of Knesset

Jerusalem, 22 February, 2005 13 Adar 1, 5765

Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
Washington
United States of America

Dear Secretary of State,

In a good will gesture to the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen, Israel is currently releasing from prison terrorists who have attempted to injure and kill Israeli citizens. Hundreds of prisoners will receive clemency and return to their homes and families to a life of freedom.

Your support of this gesture, as well as the open support of the US Administration for the release of Palestinian terrorists, brings me to write to you and appeal that Jonathan Pollard be released from prison.

Jonathan Pollard has served almost 20 years in prison, separated from his family and friends and suffering from mental anguish and extreme solitude. The terrorists who are now being released from prison attempted to take the lives of innocent civilians, women and children, and to create a reign of terror, destruction and bloodshed. Pollard's actions were not aimed at injuring and killing innocent people.

After spending two decades of his life in prison it would be a true act of compassion to grant Jonathan Pollard the same concession that has been allowed those terrorists and to release him after all these years.

Sincerely yours,

Jacob Edri, MK

cc Mr. Silvan Shalom
Minister of Foreign Affairs