Pollard slams PM's planned prisoner transfer

JPost.com Staff - The Jerusalem Post - February 18, 2007

Note:

The full text of Pollard's letter follows the article below.

Imprisoned Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard harshly criticized Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan to honor a request from Jordan's king to allow four Jordanians convicted of killing an IDF soldier to serve out the remainder of their sentences in their home country, Army Radio reported on Sunday morning.

In a letter sent to the parents of slain IDF solder Yehuda Livshitz, who was killed in a firefight with the four in November 1990, Pollard wrote: "Israel is duty-bound to return home all those who have fallen into captivity while serving the state but not through deals with the devil who promises to continue to spill Jewish blood."

Reportedly, Livshitz's parents were set to consult a lawyer over the legality of the planned prisoner transfer.

Prime Minister's Office officials said that while Olmert understood the pain of the Livshitz family, due to the "special relationship" between Israel and Jordan the prime minister had decided to forward Abdullah's request to expert officials and only after they had given their opinion would a decision be made.

Regarding Pollard's letter, PMO officials said: "We have no interest in responding to remarks which certainly sound as if they come from the heart even though they are inaccurate."

Jonathan Pollard's Letter to the Parents of Yehuda Lifschitz

[whose murderers PM Olmert plans to release]

To: Mr. and Mrs. Lifschitz (parents of Yehuda, H'yd, z'l)
Date: February 16, 2007 B"H

From: Jonathan Pollard 09185-016
FCI Butner POB 1000
Butner North Carolina
USA 27509-1000
Message:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lifschitz,
It broke my heart to learn of your principled struggle to prevent Prime Minister Olmert from freeing the murderers of your beloved son, Yehuda, H'yd, z'l. Please know, you are fighting for the honor and the security of all the Nation of Israel, not just for justice for Yehuda H'yd, z'l.
Although it is not a simple matter for me to get this message to you, I want very much to strengthen your hands and to express solidarity with you.
As the parents of a soldier who was brutally murdered while in the service of the State, PM Olmert's indifference to your suffering and to your feelings is unforgivable. His attitude clearly reflects the saying of our sages, "He who is merciful to the cruel, will end up by being cruel to the merciful."
How does the Government of Israel show its gratitude to those who serve the State? How does it honor its soldiers, agents, and loyal citizens? By freeing those who murder us and terrorize us? By abandoning its soldiers in the field so as not to cause civilian casualties amongst our enemies? By turning its back on the families of the victims of Arab terror as it prepares to release the worst murderers and terrorist masterminds this state has ever known?
The State of Israel is absolutely obliged to bring all of her prisoners and captives home -but not by making deals with the devil to spill even more Jewish blood.
Israel's dismal record since the signing of the Oslo Accords shows a clear pattern of favoring our enemies by releasing terrorists and murderers, always at the expense of their victims and the victims' families. It is a blot on the honor of the Nation of Israel that the Government is far more concerned about appeasing the Americans (who demand these humiliating prisoner releases) and placating our enemies than it is about discharging its most basic responsibilities to those who serve the State. Olmert's intention to free Yehuda's murderers - without any moral or legal basis for doing so, proves that.
As past experience has proven, whenever Israel releases murderers and terrorists as a "gesture," these scoundrels receive a hero's welcome home, and they quickly resume their terrorist activities against Israeli citizens and targets. This is true also of those who are released ostensibly to serve out their sentences in other countries. They go in the front door of the jail, and then quickly out the back door to resume terrorizing Israel anew.
Prime Minister Olmert and his cronies need to be reminded that the State has a responsibility to those who serve it and to its citizens. His plans to free murderers and terrorists are unconscionable.
I have asked my wife, Esther to join a critical protest rally on Monday 19/02/07 (organized by the Committee to Bring Jonathan Pollard Home.) The protestors will gather in Kikar Pariz at 6 PM to protest the dastardly deals that Olmert is making with Abbas (at the request of the Americans) to free yet more murderers and terrorists. Let me assure you, your son's name will be upon the lips of the protestors.
You have my word, Mr. and Mrs. .Lifschitz, we shall not be silent. Esther and I and all those who are prepared to speak out against this evil, want you to know that you are not alone in your struggle. The People of Israel are with you. May G-d bless our efforts with success!
With love and deep sympathy,
Jonathan Pollard
FCI Butner, NC