An unusual guest arrived at the offices of the Chief Rabbinate (Rabbinic Court offices) in Jerusalem on Wednesday: Ami Popper, requesting that the chief rabbis sign a letter of support requesting his pardon from prison. A number of Popper's acquaintances informed Israel Hayom that they have been trying to obtain his release for the past few months. Popper was convicted for the murder of seven Palestinians in 1990 and is serving seven life sentences. Four years ago, during a furlough from prison, Popper's wife and young son were killed in a car accident that he caused. His principal argument for requesting a pardon is the fact that his other two children are essentially being raised without parents. A letter pleading for the murderer's release and requesting additional signatures was submitted weeks ago to the Office of the Chief Rabbinate. The Rabbinate's legal advisor, Shimon Yaakobi, called the matter "unworthy," although pressure on the Chief Rabbinate continues. On Wednesday, Popper used his short furlough from prison to personally visit the Rabbinate. Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger refused to see Popper and Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar would not sign the letter. The petition to the chief rabbis was initiated by close family members of a high-ranking rabbi who teaches Popper's children. Sources involved with the issue said that "Popper's supporters approached the rabbis and justified their request based on the assertion that Popper has changed dramatically." The sources continued: "We are talking about a Yeshiva student who sits and dedicates his days to studying Torah." "Popper has sent dozens of messengers to us to speak on his behalf. During a day out [of prison], due to his weak mental state he requested a blessing from the rabbi for himself and his children. When seated with the rabbi, he suddenly took out a piece of paper and told [the rabbi] that he would like to petition President Simon Peres for a pardon and asked that the rabbi sign it. The rabbi told Popper that due to his status as a chief judge, he clearly could not get involved and immediately sent Popper on his way," sources in Rabbi Amar's office said Wednesday.
