(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel) [SEE NOTE BELOW ARTICLE] The Knesset State Audit Committee has instructed State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss to launch an investigation regarding the efforts of Israeli administrations towards obtaining the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard.
Committee members would like to ascertain if enough was done to obtain Pollard’s release since his imprisonment in 1987. In addition to an investigation and gathering of documents pertaining to the Pollard case, Lindenstrauss is expected to interview former prime ministers Netanyahu and Barak as well as Prime Minister Olmert.
Some officials are outraged over the move, feeling such an investigation could compromise efforts towards Pollard’s release despite the fact that the report will remain confidential.
NOTE: A FELLOW JEW WORKING TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF JONOTHAN POLLARD WROTE THE FOLLOWING TO YWN:
Jonathan Pollard is in his 23rd year in prison. We must work harder than ever to gain his freedom. Three actions we can take are: 1. Call the White House every business day between 11 AM and 2 PM at (202) 456-1414 with a message for the President to commute Jonathan Pollard’s sentence to time served. 2. Davin and recite tehillim for (Yehonoson ben Malka) Jonathan Pollard’s immediate release and 3. Register and send an automated e-mail to the White House once a month by clicking here: http://www.jewishnewssite.org/index.php?act=51&lid=1.
Jonathan Pollard, in the course of his position as a civilian Naval intelligence analyst, discovered that the US was withholding information that Israel was entitled to which was crucial to Israel’s security. Among the information that Jonathan Pollard gave Israel was information about Iraq’s nuclear reactor. Israel later used that information to bomb the reactor, a move that helped the entire free world.
Generally a person convicted of spying for a friendly country receives a 2-4 year sentence. Never in the history of our country did a person convicted of passing classified information receive a sentence as harsh as Jonathan Pollard. Something went terribly wrong in Jonathan Pollard’s case. He has been in prison for over 22 years and neither the US government nor the Israeli government can be proud of how they handled the matter. For Israel’s part it turned Jonathan Pollard over to the FBI and handed over the evidence against him on a silver platter.
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8 Responses
He violated the 11th commandment: THOU SHALT NOT GET CAUGHT.
He violated the 12th commandment: THOU SHALT NOT GET CAUGHT AND BE A JEW IN GENTILE COUNTRY.
After a friend sent a letter to the White House asking to release Johnathan Pollard, they received a letter in reply, saying that he has never himself applied for a pardon.
No one knows the full story. There is so much more to it that will probably never be openly told. The full investigation should be made public.
The direct line is 202-456-1111
It takes just a moment.
Tizku L’mitzvohs!
I think there is more going on here, then we will ever now. COuld it just be blatant anti-semtism. Maybe. But on the other hand, it makes no sense such a harsh punishemnt.
why did he not apply for a pardon?
people dont understand that he is not getting out i mean we cant give up but there are things here that we will in our life time never undersatand, and whats up with natan levi of lakewood i recognise the guy he was nice, some thing seems fishy bout that to imean they never tell u the full story it just makes people make up things that how rumars start in this close nit community,
he has not applied for pardon / comutation due to reasons stated in his website. see his website. the autrhiorized by him and his wife. by the way, as a life sentence, he is not eligible for parole.
as i stated / posted previously, the israeli govt is afraid to ask for his release because they know the minute he is released, he is on a plane to israel, and will be elected to the knesset with many seats, and they are afraid of his upsetting their status quo. and their volvos! (i know, its not a volvo anymore, but …)
and by the way, pardons / clemencies are given without applications, too, esp in cases of “espionage”. (in fact, thats the standard way such people are released — without an application.)
There are terms on his parole. Simple terms. All he has to do is provide certain information, volutarily. He won’t.
He is not “imprisoned”, he is there of his own free will.
Think of it this way, an Israeli yidden has refused to give his wife a get. He is now in prison, soon to be in solitary confinement, indefinitely. For a get.
It is his choice whether he stays or whether he leaves just as it is Yonatan’s choice.
Talk, Yonatan. Don’t lie to these people. Explain that you can leave any time you wish by just talking.