Supporters of Jonathan Pollard interrupted Prime Minister Ariel Sharon twice last night during his appearance before hundreds of visiting North Americans, sending a loud message to US Jewry and the Israeli government to take action on Pollard's behalf. It happened just days after a US court rejected Pollard's request for re-sentencing.
As the Prime Minister addressed the packed auditorium of the General Assembly of North American Jewish Federations, a group of 15 activists - many of whom are themselves immigrants from the US - chanted, "Bring Pollard Home Now!" The calls brought the speech to a halt, and the large video-screen image of the Prime Minister was replaced by one of activists holding Pollard placards and calling upon the Jewish leaders to break their silence.
One of the protestors, Avi Hyman, a new immigrant from London, was thrown to the floor by security personnel, put in a choke-hold using a metal wire, and punched several times with a ring of keys. A second protestor was also violently removed. Hyman told Arutz-7 that what alarmed him the most was the extremely violent response of the North American delegates themselves. "There were middle-aged and older Federation members hitting me and pushing me on my way out," said Hyman. He said he could not imagine that Americans on a "We Stand with Israel" solidarity trip would react in such a violent manner.
"Perhaps we touched a chord," said Hyman. "They received lots of Thank-you's from Israeli officials, but we were a shrill voice reminding them that their checks and sympathy are not what Israel needs - but rather actions on behalf of a Jew being held unjustly by their own US government."
Hyman and the 14 other protesters delivered their message in two waves. The first time, they loudly interrupted PM Sharon with the demand that he and the American Jewish leaders "bring Pollard home now." They were held down and silenced by security, but were allowed to remain in their seats. The second protest was much louder, and the united call for Pollard's release did not stop until the Pollard supporters were physically removed from the auditorium.
The expelled protesters were greeted warmly across the street from the GA, where thousands of people were holding a rally for Pollard as part of a full day of events on his behalf. The day had begun with a rabbinical gathering in Yeshivat HaKotel, followed by a massive prayer service at the Western Wall. Close to 2,000 people then participated in a Pollard rally outside the Binyanei HaUmah Convention Center, where Rabbi Shlomo Aviner told them that those who are not concerned with freeing Pollard do not know the meaning of being Jewish. Other speakers included Eli Yosef and Atty. Larry Dub, and Aharon Raz'el and Ariel Zilber provided musical entertainment.
Hyman addressed the crowd, lamenting the treatment they had received but vowing not to be deterred: "We received an overwhelmingly negative response from those claiming to represent North American Jewry, but we know that many Jews indeed heard our cry. We would gladly undergo much more of such atrocious treatment in order to bring the day when our brother Jonathan is freed from prison even a little bit closer."
Responding to the incident, the director-general of the GA, Doron Krakow, expressed his "disappointment that this group would chose an evening of extraordinary solidarity and world Jewish partnership to disrupt our program, to disrespect the Prime Minister and to attempt to undermine the spirit of the GA. The UJC does not take a position on the Pollard case, but this is not the time or place for such a protest." Similarly, UJC President and CEO Steve Hoffman, asked about helping Pollard, said that the issue is "for the Israeli Government." In contrast, Esther Pollard says that Israeli officials say "that it is America's problem. So while each points a finger at the other, they both abandon Jonathan to his fate."
Hyman stressed that the most disturbing aspect of the evening was the instinctive violent response of many of those who happened to be seated in the same section of the auditorium. He said that he forgives those who hit him for their violence against him, but does not forgive them for their "refusal to hear the cries of a Jew who is imprisoned for truly standing with Israel."
As the Prime Minister addressed the packed auditorium of the General Assembly of North American Jewish Federations, a group of 15 activists - many of whom are themselves immigrants from the US - chanted, "Bring Pollard Home Now!" The calls brought the speech to a halt, and the large video-screen image of the Prime Minister was replaced by one of activists holding Pollard placards and calling upon the Jewish leaders to break their silence.
One of the protestors, Avi Hyman, a new immigrant from London, was thrown to the floor by security personnel, put in a choke-hold using a metal wire, and punched several times with a ring of keys. A second protestor was also violently removed. Hyman told Arutz-7 that what alarmed him the most was the extremely violent response of the North American delegates themselves. "There were middle-aged and older Federation members hitting me and pushing me on my way out," said Hyman. He said he could not imagine that Americans on a "We Stand with Israel" solidarity trip would react in such a violent manner.
"Perhaps we touched a chord," said Hyman. "They received lots of Thank-you's from Israeli officials, but we were a shrill voice reminding them that their checks and sympathy are not what Israel needs - but rather actions on behalf of a Jew being held unjustly by their own US government."
Hyman and the 14 other protesters delivered their message in two waves. The first time, they loudly interrupted PM Sharon with the demand that he and the American Jewish leaders "bring Pollard home now." They were held down and silenced by security, but were allowed to remain in their seats. The second protest was much louder, and the united call for Pollard's release did not stop until the Pollard supporters were physically removed from the auditorium.
The expelled protesters were greeted warmly across the street from the GA, where thousands of people were holding a rally for Pollard as part of a full day of events on his behalf. The day had begun with a rabbinical gathering in Yeshivat HaKotel, followed by a massive prayer service at the Western Wall. Close to 2,000 people then participated in a Pollard rally outside the Binyanei HaUmah Convention Center, where Rabbi Shlomo Aviner told them that those who are not concerned with freeing Pollard do not know the meaning of being Jewish. Other speakers included Eli Yosef and Atty. Larry Dub, and Aharon Raz'el and Ariel Zilber provided musical entertainment.
Hyman addressed the crowd, lamenting the treatment they had received but vowing not to be deterred: "We received an overwhelmingly negative response from those claiming to represent North American Jewry, but we know that many Jews indeed heard our cry. We would gladly undergo much more of such atrocious treatment in order to bring the day when our brother Jonathan is freed from prison even a little bit closer."
Responding to the incident, the director-general of the GA, Doron Krakow, expressed his "disappointment that this group would chose an evening of extraordinary solidarity and world Jewish partnership to disrupt our program, to disrespect the Prime Minister and to attempt to undermine the spirit of the GA. The UJC does not take a position on the Pollard case, but this is not the time or place for such a protest." Similarly, UJC President and CEO Steve Hoffman, asked about helping Pollard, said that the issue is "for the Israeli Government." In contrast, Esther Pollard says that Israeli officials say "that it is America's problem. So while each points a finger at the other, they both abandon Jonathan to his fate."
Hyman stressed that the most disturbing aspect of the evening was the instinctive violent response of many of those who happened to be seated in the same section of the auditorium. He said that he forgives those who hit him for their violence against him, but does not forgive them for their "refusal to hear the cries of a Jew who is imprisoned for truly standing with Israel."