Aviam Sela has never been at risk - even though his senior executives were rescued unharmed, while he paid a heavy price • Now he no longer has to look over his shoulder with concern • Opinion
Aviam Sela
Photography:
Coco - Archive
For 35 years Aviam Sela walked with a sack of stones on his shoulders.
He did not say a word nor did he complain, but those who know him know how heavy and disturbing this burden was - which was removed yesterday (Wednesday).
Due Diligence: My friend Rock.
It allowed me to learn up close about this man, to whom the State of Israel owes much more than you will ever know and cherish.
The state's bail for President Donald Trump's pardon on his last day in office was the least she could do, even if it was too late.
Sela is no longer a boy;
Instead of living and enjoying like the rest of us, he spent his best years in constant flight from a vengeful and cruel pursuer.
Just as with Pollard, the source he operated, the Americans also chased the rock "all over the field": everywhere, and by all means.
When he wanted to open a bank account abroad, he was blocked because of his past. For the same reason, he was not allowed to serve as a director or board member in many companies, certainly those that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or conduct business in America. It did not occur to him to invite whoever the Americans sought to arrest, and as a proud Sabra Sela did not intend to come without an invitation.
Sela had to walk between the shadows.
Without a radar signature. He found a way to live, and also to enjoy (from working in high-tech and in various factories he initiated like Alexander Beer, from the magnificent garden he cultivates himself at home in Moshav, from whiskey), but until yesterday it was with an asterisk. , Sometime, the pursuer will emerge, so he was never interviewed either: not in his name, nor in the background.
The many researchers who have probably been calling him in the last day and offer to interview him are advised to save the call.
Even in the future he will not speak.
In this sense, Sela will remain underground until his last day.
Even with his immediate surroundings, he did not share details about the Pollard affair, which caused strategic damage to relations with the United States.
He also never whined or took risks;
Although senior officials from him were rescued unharmed, while he paid a heavy price: Had it not been for the American insistence that he be expelled from the IDF, it is likely that Sela would have been the former Air Force commander today.
His resume in a glorious corps: as a young and mature pilot, and especially as a senior commander.
He planned the attack on the reactor in Iraq, and a year later he planned and commanded the destruction of the Syrian Taka arrays in the first Lebanon war, which allowed the IDF to decide the battle with the Syrians.
This was a late correction to the severe blow suffered by the Air Force in the Yom Kippur War, and Sela was responsible for the achievement.
Even after his release, Sela greatly aided the country's security.
Most of the episodes are unknown, and they live in worlds that censorship will ban their publication forever.
It is only said that he was a housemate of prime ministers and defense ministers, the Mossad, the GSS and, of course, chiefs of staff and commanders of the Air Force.
In the Air Force there is a custom, where at the end of each pilot course the corps commander hosts the fresh graduates, and each graduate brings with him to the meeting the character who particularly influenced him in life.
When Amir Eshel finished his term as corps commander, he asked to invite to the last traditional meeting of his time also the one who influenced him most of all.
While the trainees bring a revered teacher, a guide from the movement or a relative, Eshel brought Aviam Sela.
As of yesterday, Sela is no longer persecuted, and no longer has to look over his shoulder with concern.
The initiative for the pardon request was his, but he won backlash: from Prime Minister Netanyahu, from the US Ambassador Friedman in Jerusalem and the Israeli Ambassador to Washington Drummer, and from Miriam Adelson, the publisher of this newspaper. And it is possible for the rock to live from now on without burden and without fear.
