Azzam Azzam: Pollard is in our hearts
During rally to mark 20 years since Jonathan Pollard's arrest, wife Esther reads letter written by convicted Israeli spy from his prison cell; thousands attend gathering, including freed prisoner Azzam Azzam
The political establishment has no shame, no red lines; Israeli captives suffer in prisons for years, while Arab murderers are released to kill again, convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard wrote in a letter read by his wife Wednesday night, during a rally marking 20 years since his arrest in the U.S.
Thousands of right-wing activists from around the country gathered outside the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem, demanding Pollard's release from prison. He is currently serving a life sentence.
Protesters formed a human chain from the American Consulate to Sharon's residence. Excerpts from the Book of Psalms were recited and a prayer service was conducted in Pollard's honor.
Freed Israeli prisoner Azzam Azzam, who sat in an Egyptian jail for eights years after being convicted of espionage, also spoke at the rally.
"Our dear brother Pollard, don't think you are alone in prison. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, the whole of Israel is with you, just know you are in our hearts, we are thinking about you," he said.
"I know what you are going through in prison. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Esther, Pollard's wife. My wife went through the same difficult experience, but there is hope in God who protects us from above."
"I experienced some trying days, but I hope we will see Pollard soon in Jerusalem. We will not give up; we will not remain silent until we
see Pollard in Jerusalem."
Pollard's wife chose to read a letter at the rally, which her husband had written from his prison cell in the U.S.
In 1948, Israel was awarded its freedom, but not its independence. The political establishment has no shame, no red lines. Israeli captives suffer in prisons for years, while Arab murderers are released on a regular basis to kill again, she said.
Pollard also criticized the defense establishment, saying that police invest in arresting religious youth, instead of arresting real criminals.
