American Alan Gross has been released from a Cuban prison after five years, as part of an agreement that also includes the release of three Cubans jailed in the United States, senior U.S. officials said Wednesday.
Officials said Gross was on a U.S. government plane bound for the U.S. Wednesday morning after being released on humanitarian grounds by the Cuban government at the request of the Obama administration.
Obama administration officials have considered Gross’ imprisonment an impediment to improving relations with Cuba, but the surprise deal could help clear the way for broader discussions on strengthening ties and perhaps ending the decades-long U.S. economic embargo against its long-time communist foe.
President Barack Obama was to announce Gross’ release later Wednesday, according to the officials, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter by name ahead of the president.
(AP)
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8 Responses
Boruch Matis Asirim !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully, Jonathan Pollard is next.
Boruch Hashem! I’m so happy
#1: Don’t hold your breath.
Baruch Hashem!!!
I am curious as to why there was never an Atzeres Hatfilah to daven for his release and why the frum ignored his plight. Only when a frum yid is in trouble do we really care. Same applies to Gilad Schalit story. The frum only care about their own. When ever there is a tragedy the first reaction by a frum Jew is, were there any frum people involved. Sad but true
Apparently Castro is a more decent person than Obama. Who knew. FREE POLLARD NOW!!!!!
“Apparently Castro is a more decent person than Obama. Who knew. FREE POLLARD NOW!!!!!”
This has nothing to do with decency it has to do with the fact that Gross was exchanged for three spies. Netanyahu should offer to send American fugitives who have fled to Israel to avoid US prosecution back to America in exchange for Pollard. He can start by offering Mondrowitz.
Welcome back Mr. Gross and I know klal Yisroel was certainly davening for you as I was. charliehall I agree with you, and you do understand this. Let’s add that this wasn’t for the exchange itself, but (never think Obama strays far from his agenda) for furthering the new friendship with Cuba concept – one of those things that Oy-Bama wants to have as his sacred legacy for eternity. Angering of course, the wonderful Cuban American community among the – shall we say – entire nation of Cuban prisoners, under Castro and his cronies. That ain’t changing so fast, while His Smugness, our endearing POTUS, smiles his patronizing smile for the world to cringe from.