Jewish leaders hail release of Alan Gross

Alan Gross
Alan Gross

NEW YORK (Press Release) –“We are most pleased by the reports of the release of Alan Gross from imprisonment in Cuba and await his return to the Unites States,” said Conference of Presidents leaders Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, “We are especially pleased that he will be reunited with his family in time for the celebration of the Chanukah festival.”

“The Presidents Conference has long been active in the effort to seek Mr. Gross’s release and petitioned US and foreign governments, as well as Cuban officials, and met high ranking leaders of the Castro government. In this, we worked closely with the Gross family and their attorneys, as well as the Washington JCRC, Jewish Federations of North America, and other groups. His family and friends never lagged in their efforts.”

“Mr. Gross was a contract employee of the U.S. Agency for International Development and was falsely charged with espionage. We pray for his safe and quick return and a full recovery of his health, which deteriorated during his incarceration including over 100 pounds of weight loss. For this and many other reasons, most especially that his imprisonment was unjustified on all grounds, we welcome his release.”

“We appreciate the many efforts by US and foreign governments, religious leaders of all faiths, businessmen and others who interceded on Mr. Gross’s behalf. We know the decision to release the Cuban three was not an easy one. We appreciate the efforts of President Obama and Vice President Biden in bringing this about,” said Sugarman and Hoenlein.

Following are comments issued by other organizations and individuals in the Jewish world:

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Wednesday, Dec. 17, welcomed the release of Alan Gross from a Cuban jail, where he was imprisoned for just over five years on charges of subversion.

Throughout the imprisonment, ADL repeatedly called on the Cuban government to release Mr. Gross on humanitarian grounds and urged international leaders to press President Raúl Castro to take action.

“We rejoice with Alan Gross’ family and friends at his release from Cuba,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “For five long years, Mr. Gross’ incarceration has been used by the Cuban government for political purposes on issues that had nothing to do with him and his alleged activities.”

Mr. Foxman added, “Over these years, Judy Gross was an indefatigable advocate for her husband, never letting the world forget about Alan, and we extend our good wishes to Mr. Gross as he rejoins his family and rebuilds his health and life.”

Mr. Gross, an American subcontractor for a U.S. Agency for International Development program, and an active member of the Jewish community in Maryland, was arrested in December 2009, found guilty of “subversion” and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Mr. Gross has denied all charges against him. Over his period in Cuban prison, his family repeatedly expressed alarm at the severe deterioration of his health.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, on Wednesday  issued the following statement regarding the release of Alan Gross after more than five years of incarceration in Cuba:

“Alan Gross’s release, after more than five years in a Cuban prison, is long overdue.  His incarceration was unjustifiable, and harsh prison conditions resulted in a severe deterioration in his health.

“I commend President Obama, Secretary Kerry, Administrator Shah, and all those who have worked for five years to secure Mr. Gross’s release.  I am hopeful that the Cuban government’s decision to release Alan Gross portends a desire to move toward democracy, openness, engagement, rule of law, and a free civil society.

“An improvement in the diplomatic and economic relationship between Cuba and the United States would benefit both countries.”

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism: In response to Cuba’s release of American Alan Gross and President Obama’s announcement of renewed U.S.-Cuban diplomatic relations, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director, issued the following statement:

“We celebrate today’s release of Alan Gross after five years imprisonment in Cuba, a development made even sweeter coming on the first day of Hanukkah. For Alan’s family and friends, this is truly the most miraculous of days. The American Jewish community, including the Reform Movement, and others around the world, have stood with the Gross family and we share in their happiness today.

The news of Alan Gross’s release comes as the U.S. also announced that it will re-establish an embassy in Cuba and ease some travel and economic restrictions. President Obama also called for ‘honest and serious debate’ about lifting the longstanding U.S. embargo on Cuba. We welcome that call. The embargo has long been a point of friction between the United States and allies in Europe, South America and Canada. Even as we remain deeply concerned by the Castro regime’s deplorable human rights record, after more than 50 years, the United States has little to show for maintaining the embargo.

We look forward to the days ahead as Alan Gross is reunited with his family and begins to recover his health. In this season of renewal, we rededicate ourselves to supporting the U.S. and Cuba as they continue to find a path toward renewed relations to the benefit of people in both nations.”

The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) is happy to know that Alan Gross has been released and is back on American soil after five years of imprisonment in Cuba. On the first day of Hanukkah, Alan Gross was granted light, freedom, and the long-awaited reunion with his family. The RJC joins the entire Jewish community in celebrating his redemption.

Our relief that his long ordeal is over is tempered by our deep concern about President Obama’s decision to begin normalizing relations with the totalitarian government of Cuba. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has said that, “President Obama’s actions have vindicated the brutal behavior of the Cuban government.” The people of Cuba are still in prison – many literally so. American steps to open diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba while the government continues to oppress its own people and to support terrorism around the world is unwise. We call on Congress will look into this matter when they reconvene.

*
Preceding compiled from news releases sent to San Diego Jewish World.  Your comments about this story may be placed directly in the box provided below.