Israel will formally and publicly ask U.S. President Barack Obama to free Jonathan Pollard, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday.
The appeal will represent a major step to rescue Pollard from a life term in prison for passing to Israel classified documents when he worked for the Pentagon. The usual punishment for the offense is up to four years in jail.
Prime Minister Netanyahu acted after appeals by Pollard’s wife Esther and a string of events and reports the past few weeks that have weakened the American case for imposing a life sentence on Pollard. The Prime Minister’s office stated that the decision to appeal to President Obama “was made following a series of talks and contacts… in recent months with senior U.S. administration officials.”
One of those leading the free-Pollard movement is former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb, who revealed that he has spoken with President Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at least six times. He recently has said that Pollard was not dealt with fairly.
BtB Feb. 4, 2007:
.... Pollard has been imprisoned for almost twenty years. Not on the other side of the world, but in America. Three hundred miles from where I sit right now.
It's time I learned about him. And maybe it's time for you as well....
Pollard: I love my wife more than my enemies hate me
Pollard is a hero. America should of kept it's word with Israel and given out the information concerning Saddam's chemical arsenal.
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