I am proud to be an Israeli citizen, and proud of Israel for not forgetting me. In jail, I felt strong because I knew my prime minister would not forget me. Here I am now in my beloved State of Israel. Inshalla [with God's help] we will meet very soon."

These emotional words were spoken on December 5, 2004, by Azzam Azzam, an Israeli businessman who was released by Egypt after 8 years of captivity. Azzam had been accused of spying for Israel.

He was arrested in 1996 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. A worker at a textile plant, Azzam was accused of passing on Egyptian state secrets by soaking womenÕs underwear in invisible ink.

Azzam was exchanged for 6 Egyptian students who had sneaked into Israel back in August, and after capture, were charged with conspiring to kill Israeli soldiers.

The Beersheba District Court in September had indicted the six on charges of infiltrating into Israel, and then planning to hijack a tank

Now, what is so incredible about this story is that Azzam is an Israeli citizen, but he is not a Jew-he is an Arab Druze!

This morally beautiful act flies in the face of countless accusations of Israeli racism from the UN and many of its member states.

While far from a perfect country, Israel continually strives to serve as a national embodiment of our noble Jewish values.

The value of Pidyon Shevuyim, which charges us to seek the redemption of our captives, was exemplified personally by Prime Minister Sharon and his personal involvement in this affair.

I am proud of Israel, and further delighted to learn that there seems to be a warming in relations between Israel and Egypt as a result of the resolution of the Azzam affair.