AndreaGail
21st December 2010, 09:41 AM
Israel to press Obama to free Israeli spy Pollard
(AP) – 1 hour ago
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's prime minister on Tuesday said he would press President Barack Obama to release an Israeli spy who is serving a life sentence in the United States, a step that could reopen a case that has been a source of tension between the two allies for a quarter of a century.
Benjamin Netanyahu said he would call for the release of former Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard "in a formal and public manner" in the coming days.
The United States arrested Pollard in 1985 and sentenced him to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to passing secrets to Israel. He enjoys widespread sympathy in Israel, where many believe the sentence was too harsh.
There was no immediate U.S. comment.
Israeli officials, notably Netanyahu, have frequently raised the Pollard case in the past, but have been rebuffed by both Democratic and Republican administrations. The case is vividly remembered by members of the military and intelligence communities. In those circles, any leniency for Pollard is steadfastly opposed.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media, said Netanyahu's appeal would be the first time the matter has been raised officially and in public.
Netanyahu has long championed the release of the convicted spy. Many Israelis believe he was the victim of improper procedure, since he pleaded guilty in a plea bargain for a shorter sentence, but was given a life term anyway.
In his first tenure as prime minister a decade ago, Netanyahu granted Pollard Israeli citizenship, then later visited him in prison in North Carolina. Netanyahu said he has raised the issue with both Obama and Secretary of State Clinton "at least half a dozen times" in closed meetings over the last two months.
"I worked very hard in my first term as prime minister to get Jonathan out," Netanyahu told Israel Radio earlier Tuesday. "He nearly made it. I intend to succeed in my second term. I think we can do it."
Esther Pollard, the convicted spy's wife, met Netanyahu Monday and pressed him to issue a formal clemency request. She said Pollard is in frail health. "If you intend to bring him home alive, the time is now," she said she told the prime minister.
Lawrence Korb, U.S. assistant secretary of defense at the time of Pollard's arrest, was also in the meeting. Korb said Tuesday that Pollard was given a disproportionately harsh sentence and that the 25 years he has served is enough of a deterrent to potential future spies.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjeJGQxgd_6ir7WcwLOw83xZMWpA?docId=5300d4861 bba4c16a7ceea0251172f5f
(AP) – 1 hour ago
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's prime minister on Tuesday said he would press President Barack Obama to release an Israeli spy who is serving a life sentence in the United States, a step that could reopen a case that has been a source of tension between the two allies for a quarter of a century.
Benjamin Netanyahu said he would call for the release of former Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard "in a formal and public manner" in the coming days.
The United States arrested Pollard in 1985 and sentenced him to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to passing secrets to Israel. He enjoys widespread sympathy in Israel, where many believe the sentence was too harsh.
There was no immediate U.S. comment.
Israeli officials, notably Netanyahu, have frequently raised the Pollard case in the past, but have been rebuffed by both Democratic and Republican administrations. The case is vividly remembered by members of the military and intelligence communities. In those circles, any leniency for Pollard is steadfastly opposed.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media, said Netanyahu's appeal would be the first time the matter has been raised officially and in public.
Netanyahu has long championed the release of the convicted spy. Many Israelis believe he was the victim of improper procedure, since he pleaded guilty in a plea bargain for a shorter sentence, but was given a life term anyway.
In his first tenure as prime minister a decade ago, Netanyahu granted Pollard Israeli citizenship, then later visited him in prison in North Carolina. Netanyahu said he has raised the issue with both Obama and Secretary of State Clinton "at least half a dozen times" in closed meetings over the last two months.
"I worked very hard in my first term as prime minister to get Jonathan out," Netanyahu told Israel Radio earlier Tuesday. "He nearly made it. I intend to succeed in my second term. I think we can do it."
Esther Pollard, the convicted spy's wife, met Netanyahu Monday and pressed him to issue a formal clemency request. She said Pollard is in frail health. "If you intend to bring him home alive, the time is now," she said she told the prime minister.
Lawrence Korb, U.S. assistant secretary of defense at the time of Pollard's arrest, was also in the meeting. Korb said Tuesday that Pollard was given a disproportionately harsh sentence and that the 25 years he has served is enough of a deterrent to potential future spies.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjeJGQxgd_6ir7WcwLOw83xZMWpA?docId=5300d4861 bba4c16a7ceea0251172f5f