When the two met during the US presidential visit in Jerusalem last week, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein showed Secretary of State John Kerry a letter containing his signature dating back to 1987. The letter was signed by US congressmen and senators on his behalf, seeking to make certain that Edelstein, who was serving a prison sentence in a work camp received proper medical care. Edelstein had announced his desire to make aliyah and as a result, became a Prisoner of Zion in the USSR. That letter was sent to President Michael Gorbachev.

When presenting the letter to Kerry, Edelstein attached a dvar Torah. They two were pleased to meet and decided to enhance their relationship during subsequent trips to Israel of the senior US official.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)