A Cautionary Tale: First They Abandoned Jonathan Pollard

Justice4JP Release May 30, 2006

With apologies to Pastor Martin Niemller*

First they abandoned and betrayed Jonathan Pollard
and I did not speak out
because I was not an Israeli agent at risk.
Then they abandoned Ron Arad.
and I did not speak out
because I was not an Israeli pilot at risk.
Then they abandoned Mudhat Yosef.
and I did not speak out
because I was not an Israeli soldier at risk.
Then the government abandoned and betrayed me
and there was no one left to speak out for me,
an ordinary Israeli citizen.

*Based on Pastor Martin Niemllers famous verse: "First They Came for the Jews:"

First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me, and there was no one left, to speak out for me.