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(IsraelNN.com) A letter from ailing former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu appealing for the release of Jonathan Pollard was hand-delivered to American President George W. Bush at the Knesset Thursday. Pollard is serving a life sentence in jail for passing classified information to Israel. The rabbi wrote the letter before his recent hospitalization and heart surgery.
 
He wrote, "I am turning to you both as a president, as a man, as an honest man renown for helping and assisting others.... I urge you to release Jonathan Pollard and to send him home to Jerusalem. By correcting this long-standing injustice, you will bring blessing upon the American people and her armed troops." Rabbi Eliyahu added that he was willing to take personal responsibility for Pollard.

He added, "It is written in Psalms 130:4, 'Forgiveness belongs to you that you may be feared.' Our sages interpret this verse to mean that The Holy One, Blessed be He, forgives, and He is feared all the more so."