Supporters of Jonathan Pollard have organized a worldwide Yom Kippur campaign to take place late tomorrow afternoon. Immediately before the Ne'ilah prayer, the dramatic and heartfelt service concluding the long day of Yom Kippur prayers and penitence, Jews all over the world are asked to recite Chapter 130 of Psalms on behalf of Pollard - Yehonatan ben [son of] Malkah - and his speedy release from prison. He has been in prison for nearly 18 years.
Pollard wrote a Yom Kippur-eve letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in which he decries Sharon's recent use of the term "beggars" to describe the People of Israel. "I was absolutely disgusted to learn," Pollard wrote, "that during a Cabinet discussion about your recent meeting with President Bush, you explained that you hadn't asked for my release because 'Beggars can't make noise!' ... Have you no shame or sense of self-respect? Don't you remember the catastrophe that befell our People when ten of the spies returned from Canaan and described themselves as 'grasshoppers?' We suffered the loss of an entire generation, Mr. Sharon, precisely because of this type of debased mentality!...
"[A]s far as I am concerned, Mr. Prime Minister, it is you and your ministers who are 'beggars,' not our People! ... In light of your obvious disdain for our People, and craven fear of Washington, Mr. Sharon, I think it is time for you to step down and allow someone else, who has the requisite integrity, courage and fear of Heaven, to lead our great nation. Perhaps then we would be able to decisively defeat our enemies, gain the respect of our allies, and I at long last, would be able to return to the Land and People that I love."
Psalm 130 contains the verses, "From the depths I called out to You... With G-d is much redemption. He will redeem Israel from all its iniquities."
Pollard wrote a Yom Kippur-eve letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in which he decries Sharon's recent use of the term "beggars" to describe the People of Israel. "I was absolutely disgusted to learn," Pollard wrote, "that during a Cabinet discussion about your recent meeting with President Bush, you explained that you hadn't asked for my release because 'Beggars can't make noise!' ... Have you no shame or sense of self-respect? Don't you remember the catastrophe that befell our People when ten of the spies returned from Canaan and described themselves as 'grasshoppers?' We suffered the loss of an entire generation, Mr. Sharon, precisely because of this type of debased mentality!...
"[A]s far as I am concerned, Mr. Prime Minister, it is you and your ministers who are 'beggars,' not our People! ... In light of your obvious disdain for our People, and craven fear of Washington, Mr. Sharon, I think it is time for you to step down and allow someone else, who has the requisite integrity, courage and fear of Heaven, to lead our great nation. Perhaps then we would be able to decisively defeat our enemies, gain the respect of our allies, and I at long last, would be able to return to the Land and People that I love."
Psalm 130 contains the verses, "From the depths I called out to You... With G-d is much redemption. He will redeem Israel from all its iniquities."