Professors for a Strong Israel

Statement to the Press - 12 October 1997

Re: A pardon for Ilana Podolsky

About 80 professors and lecturers have called on the President to pardon Ms. Ilana Podolsky, who has been sentenced to one year's imprisonment for the involuntary manslaughter of an Arab. The professors asked the President, before Yom Kippur, to alleviate Ms. Podolsky's suffering, which has been going on for two years since the traumatic experience she and her family went through.

Professors for a Strong Israel supports Ms. Podolsky's application for a pardon, noting that she did not intend to harm anyone. When she immigrated to Israel, she never imagined that she would one day have to take up arms in order to defend herself and her family.

In the spirit of these days of mercy and pardon, we ask the President to enable Ilana and her family finally to return to normal life.

A copy of our letter and the list of signatories may be obtained at our office.

Dr. Ron Breiman, Spokesman
Tel: 050-518940