'PM won't take letter asking for Pollard's release to US'
Army Radio reports Netanyahu refuses to bring letter drafted by MKs asking
for Israeli agent's release to US administration.

[IMRA: See full text of letter signed by 109 MKs calling on Obama to free
Pollard following the article below.]

by Jerusalem Post Staff - November 6, 2010
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=194256

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will not take a letter to the US
administration asking for the release of Israeli agent Jonathan Pollard,
Army Radio reported on Saturday.

The letter, addressed to US President Barack Obama, was signed by various
MKs including Interior Minister Eli Yishai.

Netanyahu was scheduled to leave for a five-day visit in the US on Saturday.
He is expected to meet with US Vice President Joseph Biden on Sunday in New
Orleans and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday in New York.

President Barack Obama will be in Asia during the visit.

The letter came after former assistant secretary of defense in the Reagan
administration, Lawrence Korb, said last week that Pollard was unjustly
given a life sentence and should be granted clemency by the Obama
administration.

In the letter, the MKs addressed the fact that US Vice President Biden
recently questioned Pollard's life sentence.

"In light of recent discoveries, there is no doubt that the US vice
president will agree that the idea of leaving Pollard in jail is no longer
rational and that this idea is not worthy of an enlightened, democratic
nation."

--
TEXT: Letter to Obama signed by 109 MKs which PM refused to take to US

Sunday, 31 October 2010

Dear Mr President,
Mr Barak Obama,

In just a few days we will mark the completion of the 25th year of the
imprisonment of the Israeli agent, Jonathan Pollard, who is in an American
prison. For a long time, there are, in the United States, people raising
their voices for Pollard's release in light of the overwhelming
disproportion between the punishment for those who have already served
sentences for spying for allies (on average 2-4 years) and Pollard’s
sentence. As we reach 25 years since Pollards arrest, dozens of congressmen
joined this call by signing a letter calling you to cut his sentence, as
well as intellectuals, security personnel and governance.

As you know, the State of Israel has accepted full responsibility for the
actions of Pollard and apologized for them. Even senior members of your
government, vice president Mr. Joseph R. Biden Jr. and your assistant Mr.
Dennis Ross have previously expressed their agreement to the claim Pollard
should be freed after serving more than enough time in prison for the
offence he was convicted of.

In this context, we feel a deep obligation to note that many citizens of
Israel feel an obvious discrimination between Pollard and the punishment of
others accused of spying in the U.S. This feeling clouds the important and
stable US- Israel friendship and the Israeli public wish with all their
hearts to remove it.

In addition to all this, Pollard's health condition has deteriorated and he
is in a very real danger.

There is no doubt that 25 years in prison is enough to justify reducing the
sentence and releasing him immediately.

But beyond all this, there is the recently published and remarkable
testimony of former Deputy Secretary of Defense, Lawrence Korb. As you may
know, besides the explicit call for Pollard's release, he revealed that
Pollard's harsh sentence and unprecedented life verdict was due to false
accusations and false information that is clearly now not true.

Mr. President, it is acceptable and understandable that countries dispute,
and it is no secret that there are some differences now, but there will
probably never be a dispute that a person should not be held unnecessary
jail even for a second, on charges when he didn’t commit the acts!

We are writing on behalf of the Israeli public, as well as on behalf of any
person seeking justice and with a conscience. Please, answer positively to
the request to cut short Pollard's sentence and let him reunite with his
wife and son, and spend the rest of his days as a free man after undoubtedly
serving his debt to the American society.

There is no doubt that this step will be a badge of honor that represents
the United States as a liberal democratic nation and prove that the values
of justice and equality before the law are higher values to which the U.S.
adheres to, and displays to the world.

Sincerely,
The Knesset Members
[Signed by 109 out of 120 MKs ]