Ten parties from across the political spectrum joined forces over the weekend in
a letter to President Shimon Peres asking him to do whatever he can to bring
about the release of convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard.
The parties,
which have been fighting vigorously ahead of the January 22 election, found
Pollard to be an issue that unites them. The parties that signed the letter were
Likud, Bayit Yehudi, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Kadima, Yesh Atid, Labor,
Meretz, Strong Israel and The Tzipi Livni Party.
“Despite all the
differences between us and the many arguments we have, especially at this time,
it was important to us to unite and appeal to you in a a joint request on behalf
of all our voters,” the parties wrote. “In such times, it is hard to to think of
another issue on which we can unite.”
In the letter, the parties note
Pollard’s recent hospitalization and the fact that on November 21 he entered the
28th year of his life sentence.
They said the start of new terms in
Washington and Jerusalem was an ideal time for US President Barack Obama to
“turn a new leaf” in US-Israel relations by commuting Pollard’s sentence to time
served.
“We cannot ignore the painful reminder that this man’s life could
end while he is still in jail,” they wrote.
“Please act to bring about
Pollard’s release before it is too late.”