Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today issued a formal letter requesting that the United States free convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, saying that Pollard had “expressed remorse” for spying against the US and that it would never happen again.
Netanyahu’s letter cites that a number of US Congressmen support Pollard’s release and insists that he has “suffered greatly for his actions” and deserves clemency on humanitarian grounds. Pollard is currently spending life in federal prison.
Pollard, who was stealing classified documents from the US Navy and turning them over to Israel, has become something of a folk hero for Israel’s right, and securing his release would be a major political victory for Netanyahu. Pollard was granted Israeli citizenship in 1995, eight years after he began his life sentence.
Israeli officials have repeatedly pressed the US for Pollard’s release, and indeed a number of Congressmen argue that such a move would have a position impact on relations with Israel. Pollard’s release had been proposed as a “reward” for Israel extending the settlement freeze by three months, which they refused to do. The reward, as with the billions of dollars in US promised aid, however, may still be forthcoming.
Now here is a man, Pollard that is, whose head you'd think Sarah Palin and other "defenders of the faith" would be calling for. Funny how silent our saviors are.
It sure would be nice to know who these "number of Congressmen" are who support granting clemency to a convicted spy – just for the record, of course.
Jason, why not mention the obvious reason for getting him released- to make it easier to recruit more Americans to spy on their own country? That's pretty obvious isn't it; after all, Netanyahu has actually said that the point of getting him out is to demonstrate that Israel doesn't abandon people who've acted for Israel. He wants to make sure people know that. But doesn't his interest in that demonstration have an audience in mind: Americans who might in future betray their country on Israel's behalf?
Pollard is an American citizen a confessed spy who committed treasonous crimes against America on American soil. He is incarcerated in an American prison.
What does it have to do with Netanyahu? Next Netanyahu will be demanding that murderers, rapists, child molesters and other decrepit "lowlifes" be released from prison because they are Jewish. and above the law.
The "expressed remorse and it will never happen again" does this mean Israel is finally going to dismantle its spy network in the US and compensating the US for all its criminal activities? If not let Pollard rot in Hell
The government of Israel stated for 13 years that Pollard was "rouge" until they admiited all along he was theirs.
Israel also said at the time that there no other spying activities until Ben-Ami Kadish was convicted who was spying at the same time. He was allowed to walk due to age. An a Israel First American is just a spy not prosecuted..
Israel is a paratitic untrustworthy ally and a nation of ingrates. The costs to a debt strapped America are hidden , enormous, non-beneficial and exhorbitant.
Why hasn't Pollard been stripped of his citizenship?
Israel cares about Israel and only Israel.
And anyone who thinks Israel is an ally to the USA is naive in the extreme, e.g.:
"Evidence linking these Israelis to 9/11 is classified. I cannot tell you about evidence that has been gathered. It's classified information."
US official quoted in Carl Cameron's Fox News report on the Israeli spy ring.
"Investigators within the DEA, INS and FBI have all told Fox News that to pursue or even suggest Israeli spying … is considered career suicide."
Carl Cameron, as quoted in The Spies Who Came In From The Art Sale
"While I agree with you, if I say anything about US geopolitical interests with Israel, I might as well clean off my desk."
Unnamed reporter as quoted in American Media Censorship and Israel
somethink STINKS in israel
America's logical counter offer: let us have Mordechai Vanunu and we'll think about it.
Tell Israel we will release him once they (israel) return all land and agree to go back to 1967 borders! Also, release all prisoners that have not committed murders! Anyone reading this, please let me know if im crazy. If anyone broke into your home, kicked you out, will the occupants in your home have a good night sleep?
Next question. If Israel gave back all land, what else is left for bin laden and radicals have left to use as a recruitment tool to attack america. Obama doesnt get it. He too will leave office with blood soaked hands!