.jpg)
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CoP) has sent a letter to Cuban President Raúl Castro appealing for the release of Jewish aid worker Alan Gross, 61, who has been held in a Cuban jail since December 2009 and now charged with “crimes against the state”. His trial is to open on 4 March. The letter urges the Cuban government that Gross be released from prison on humanitarian grounds. The letter was sent by the leaders of the Conference of Presidents and its 51 member organizations and requests that Gross be reunited with his family in the United States. His daughter is suffering from cancer. If convicted, Gross could face up to 20 years in prison.
"Mr. Gross has long been an active and committed member of the Jewish community in the United States. He has lived his life following the Jewish teachings of tikkun olam (“repairing the world”), as demonstrated by the multiple humanitarian projects he has developed around the world – from the Middle East to Latin America. His work has touched and improved the lives of thousands of people. When Mr. Gross was arrested he believed he was advancing his humanitarian work in Cuba," CoP Chairman Alan Solow and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein wrote in their letter to Castro. They added: "If his work had any political implications this was something he did not, or could not, appreciate," it added.
Cuban authorities have accused Gross in the past of illegally importing satellite communications equipment and possibly spying. However, according to Gross’ family and US officials, he was in Cuba to help the Jewish community communicate with other communities via the internet.
Solow and Hoenlein declared: "We have addressed Mr. Gross’ plight in a letter to President Obama and also requested a meeting with Cuban officials to the US to discuss Mr. Gross’ plight. We are now appealing directly to President Castro. We hope that he will recognize that Mr. Gross’ project was purely humanitarian in nature with no political motivations and that he will allow Mr. Gross’ prompt release. Mr. Gross was held in prison for nearly 14 months before being charged. Should he be convicted in his upcoming trial, we hope that President Castro will release him for time served."
