MK (UTJ) Rav Shmuel Halpert has sent an urgent letter to President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik to intervene and do everything possible towards saving two Israelis sentenced to death in Thailand for drug trafficking (reported HERE on YWN).

In his letter, Rav Halpert quoted the Rambam (Hilchos Matonos L’evyonim – Chapter 8 Halacha 10), citing the importance of the mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim.

He points out that we are dealing with two lives, and Israel has the power to intervene and save the lives and is therefore compelled to do so. He states he would like to believe in their innocence but even if that is not the case, then we must intervene to save them from a death sentence and do our utmost that the serve prison sentences in Israel.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)