Amid reports that Jonathan Pollard remains in critical condition in a Butner North Carolina hospital, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday, the first day of chol hamoed Pesach in Eretz Yisrael, called for the release of Pollard.

“The Jewish holiday of freedom should become Pollard’s private holiday of freedom, Netanyahu said.”I will continue working toward his release.”

The prime minister’s statement echoed similar calls for Pollard’s release from Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, members of Knesset and his wife, Mrs. Esther Pollard, who met with President Shimon Peres, with the latter promising to act on the matter, which Mr. Peres stated he views as a top priority.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)