Free Shalhevet's Father and Uncle

Free Shalhevets Father:
Release Itzik Pass and Matti Shvu!

For almost four years we have been involved in a vicious war of terror. For two years we were shot at, in our homes, in our cars, walking the streets. Arab terrorist gunfire surrounded us, wherever we were, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Shalhevet Pass, HYD, a ten-month old infant, was murdered by terrorist sniper gunfire from the Abu Sneneh hills. The bullet that penetrated her head and killed her first passed through her fathers two legs, felling him. At that time, over three years ago, Shalhevet was the youngest victim of the Oslo Terror War. Now, after four years of murderous attacks, almost 1,000 Israeli Jews have been killed and thousands wounded and maimed. In the meantime, Itzik Pass and his brother-in-law Matti Shvu are imprisoned in a jail cell.

Exactly a year ago, Itzik and Matti were arrested and indicted for possessing eight explosive bricks found in Itziks automobile. Such items are commonly found in the possession of many Israelis. Despite massive attempts, the prosecutors office was unable to prove that the two men had any intention to use these items or to connect them to any particular crime.

The men were convicted of illegal possession of these goods and sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment. However the prosecution appealed the sentence and an appeals ruling added nine months to their incarceration, which will conclude in another year.

In spite of the fact that they have already served more than a quarter of their sentence, they are being held in very harsh conditions and are not permitted vacations, which are allowed almost all prisoners (including murderers and rapists) who have completed twenty-five percent of their incarceration. These conditions and restrictions are a direct result of massive pressure brought upon the prison authority by the Shabak the Jewish Division of the Israeli intelligence services.

It is surmised that this pressure is aimed at preventing reduction of the mens sentence by one third, allowing them to be released on parole in a few months. Israeli prison sentences are usually and normally reduced by one-third.

The injustice screams out:
Why must a bereaved, terror-plagued family, be forced to endure continued suffering?
Shalhevets grandfather, Avraham Zarbiv, was critically wounded, axed in the face and hand by a terrorist over a decade ago. Orital, Mattis wife, was knifed by an Arab terrorist as a teenager in Hebron. Matti himself was injured by a terrorists bullet, shot in the leg from the Abu-Sneneh hills. And of course, the tragic murder of 10-month old Shalhevet, over three years ago.

Why must Shalhevets mother, Oriyah Pass, a young mother of two baby girls, continue to remain separated from her husband, facing hardships and pain alone?

Why does the Jewish Division of the Shabak continue to torture a bereaved, terror-plagued family, forbidding the two men vacations, to help their wives cope, two young sisters who need their husbands by their sides.

Why are murderers and other convicted felons permitted vacations, which are part of their basic rights, while this right is denied Itzik and Matti?

We turn to Shabak director, Avi Dichter and Internal Security minister Tzachi HaNegbi:
Stop torturing terror-plagued families!
The unique circumstances and natural justice demand: Free Matti and Itzik!
The right to vacations is a basic privilege granted to all other prisoners. Permit Itzik and Matti the same, established, right.

We turn to the President of Israel, Moshe Katzav, and ask:
Why did you agree to reduce the sentence of Shalhevets murderer, yet you do not agree to pardon Itzik and Matti, for a much lesser crime!

Please call and fax:
Avi Dichter, Director of Israeli Intelligence via The Prime Ministers Office:
(P) 972-2-670-5555 (Fax) 972-2-566-4838 972-2-670-5475
Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister of Internal Security:
(P) 972-2-530-8500 (Fax) 972-2-581-1832
Moshe Katzav, President of the State of Israel:
(P) 972-2-6707211 (Fax)972-2-567-1314