Haaretz: President Obama only considers impact of Pollard release on vote
Dr. Aaron Lerner 11 April 2011
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Haaretz Printed edition 11 April 2012 report - White House source explains
that President Obama only considers how many votes he could gain from
releasing Pollard - no mention of either humanitarian considerations or
question of justice. Indicates Pollard release could be part of peace
process.

The English and Hebrew internet edition do not include any of these
observations.

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http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-despite-peres-plea-obama-not-weighing-release-of-israeli-spy-1.423597http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-despite-peres-plea-obama-not-weighing-release-of-israeli-spy-1.423597

U.S.: Despite Peres plea, Obama not weighing release of Israeli spy

White House official confirms U.S. President received personal missive from
President Peres, adding that Washington's position on granting clemency to
Jonathan Pollard 'has not changed.'
By Barak Ravid Haaretz Published 18:14 10.04.12

The White House confirmed on Tuesday that it received President Shimon
Peres' letter to U.S. Barack President Obama regarding the release of the
Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, as one U.S. official indicated, however, that
the American president's position on the issue "has not changed."

On Monday, before President Obama received and read the letter, AP reported
that the White House said the position on Pollard hasn't changed. The
Israeli lobby for Pollard's release said it hoped the position will be
different after Obama read the letter, but the U.S. administration's
position stayed the same today.

Speaking on Tuesday, however, a top U.S. official indicated that that was
not the case, and that the American president would not consider granting
clemency to the convicted spy.

"We have now received President Peres's letter," the White House official
said, adding that "president Obama appreciates hearing his views and looks
forward to their next meeting. Regarding Mr. Pollard the administration's
position has not changed."

In a statement released by Peres on Monday, the president thanked Obama for
what he said was the friendliness his administration has shown Israel,
citing the Passover seder the American president held last week at the White
House, and reiterating the importance of the value of freedom to the Jewish
holiday.

Peres updated his U.S. counterpart on a conversation he conducted a few days
ago with Esther Pollard, the convicted spy's wife, stressing that the
Pollard family, as well as the Jewish people, were concerned about Pollard's
health.

The president sent the missive after receiving a petition signed by 80 MKs,
urging Obama to release the Jewish spy, as well as intense pressure from the
lobby working to secure Pollard's release ahead of Peres' White House visit
planned for June.