Whereas Alan Gross was arrested in Cuba in December 2009 while on a humanitarian mission to help the small Cuban Jewish community improve internet access;
Whereas he has been incarcerated ever since, sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Cuban court for “actions against the integrity of the state”;
Whereas prior to his arrest Alan dedicated his life to improving the lives of others, especially the less fortunate, by working in more than 50 countries, where he never experienced any legal trouble and where he resided lawfully; and
Whereas he is in ill health and is suffering from various ailments while in prison, his 89 year-old mother is dying of lung cancer and his 26 year-old daughter is recovering from breast cancer.
Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call upon the Government of Cuba to commute his sentence on humanitarian grounds and to provide for his immediate release.
Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, May, 2012