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Commentary;
Rav Shmuel Eliyahu repeats yet again what this blog has reiterated numerous times; the systematic betrayal of Jonathan Pollard, again and again, by sucessive ISRAELI governments and by establishment so-called “Jewish leaders.”
This author holds that it is the abandonment of Pollard which set in motion the precedent and mindset for the abandonment of South Lebanon, the Oslo “agreements”, the expulsions of Jews from their homes, communities and Jewish Land in Gush Katif and the 4 Shomron towns. The abandonment of Pollard by the ISRAELI government paved the way down the step road of decay that has led to the absurdity and humiliation of Annapolis.
Only the protexia-class ISRAELI government is capable of the steep slope of evil mal-treatment, mis-treatment and persecution meted out to our Jewish brethren, the former residents of Gush Katif at a stiff cost, morally and financially, to us all. MB
The Pollard Syndrome – Olam Katan [Parshat Vayishev 5768], by HaRav Shmuel Eliyahu (Translated to English by J4JP December 18, 2007)
Excerpts;
Notwithstanding their appreciation of what Pollard did for the People of Israel, there are those who still ask: why should we fight for the freedom of one man? There are more important things to fight for. There is the fight for the Land of Israel. There is the fight for Jerusalem. These are issues where so very many lives depend on the outcome. Our resources are limited. Why should we invest so much in the struggle for Pollard’s freedom?
This question is similar to the question ‘Why don’t we leave a wounded soldier behind on the field of battle?’ There are times that the army pays a very high price just to rescue one single soldier. Why struggle to uphold this principle? The answer is simple. One does not abandon a friend.
“V’ahavta l’recha kmocha” (Love your neighbor as yourself.) Were you in his shoes, you would expect him to help you. So help him! This would be true even for someone who has contributed nothing to the People of Israel. In Pollard’s case, we are talking about someone who has sacrificed for every single one of us. He sacrificed his freedom and his life for us. Because of his selflessness on our behalf, he now sits in prison. The man put his life on the line for the State of Israel, and the State abandoned him.The Government of Israel is deliberately abandoning Jonathan. Top Israeli officials use winks and nods to signal to the American Administration that any talk of freeing Pollard is simply “lip service” for domestic consumption. Our relationship with you is more important to us than Pollard.
Consequently, the Americans hold us in contempt. Our sages taught: False friends are despised by those who buy their services. One who sells his values, also sells his honor. The villain himself is the first one to turn on others. The first ones to turn on Israel after Kever Yosef were the Palestinians. The Americans are no different.
Whoever holds the honor of Israel dear must fight for the release of Jonathan Pollard. This struggle restores the honor of Israel to its rightful place. Whoever is aware of the Halachic value of “the honor of Israel” understands that it is synonymous with “Kiddush HaShem” (the sanctification of G-d’s name).
Blessed be all who are fighting for the life and freedom of Jonathan Pollard. They are fighting for Israel’s honor. They are fighting the honor of G-d Almighty. The Blessed G-d of Israel will reward their efforts. May they merit to see their deeds bear fruit. May the Lover of Israel who sacrificed himself for her, merit to have fulfilled for him the verse ” from prison he went out..” just like Yosef HaTzadik. Amain ken yihi ratzon! (Amen, may it indeed be thus!)
To read the entire piece, click here.
The author, HaRav Shmuel Eliyahu, is the Chief Rabbi of Tzfat. He is the son of the former Chief Rabbi of Israel and Rishon LeTzion, HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu, shlita.