Revy
24th December 2008, 12:08
Link (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1049667.html)
Rightist party offers Jonathan Pollard top spot on Knesset list http://wa-ne1.www.haaretz.com/hasen/images/0.gif By Nadav Shragai ([email protected]), Haaretz Correspondent http://wa-ne1.www.haaretz.com/hasen/images/0.gif Tags: Jonathan Pollard (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/tags/index.jhtml?tag=Jonathan+Pollard) http://wa-ne2.www.haaretz.com/hasen/images/tags/tag_arrow1.gif
The extreme right-wing Our Land of Israel party has offered the top spot on its Knesset list to convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, who is currently serving a life sentence in a United States Federal Prison for espionage.
The legality of the offer is unclear and Pollard's family have refused to endorse it, saying his name should not be used to support any politicular political party, as his actions were meant to help all of Israel.
Pollard served as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy in the 1980s, where he used his position to funnel classified information to Israel in exchange for cash and jewelry. He was found guilty of espionage in 1987, and was sentenced to life in prison.
The Our Land of Israel party, which is headed by far-right activists Baruch Marzel and Rabbi Dov Volpo, has called on all other parties in the Knesset to follow their lead and add Pollard to their lists.
Israel granted Pollard citizenship in 1995 and has provided him with legal representation in an effort to lobby for his release, something that successive U.S. administrations have so far refused to do.
Thirty Days to Go: Push for Pollard Intensifies
A video – the second of its kind - of Israeli leaders, public officials, religious leaders and educators calling for Pollard’s release from prison has been released. The five-minute video features a series of speakers from across the political spectrum calling on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to simply ask his friend Pres. Bush to release Pollard.
Other activities are also underway on behalf of Pollard. Over 12,500 Israelis have used a toll-free number to call the White House and ask Bush to grant clemency to Pollard. In addition, a rally is scheduled for the fast day of Asarah B'Tevet, Tuesday, January 6th, in Independence Park in Jerusalem, opposite the U.S. consulate.
Left to Right Call for Pollard's Return Home
Among the personalities on the video are top figures in the left-wing Shomer HaTza’ir movement, the national kibbutz movement, and the religious kibbutz movement. Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman of Migdal HaEmek are also featured.
The movie, like its predecessor that was released a month ago, ends with a dramatic call, on the backdrop of a photo of Olmert with his arm around a smiling Bush: “Mr. Prime Minister: This is your responsibility! Don’t miss this opportunity. Bring Pollard back home - alive!”
Given Pollard’s life sentence and ill health, many feel that this could be Pollard’s last chance to be freed from prison.
An international phone-in campaign to the White House on behalf of Pollard has been underway for the past month. In the last ten days alone, more than 10,000 Israelis have called.
Among the prominent personalities who spoke on the first video were former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon, Nobel Prize winner Prof. Yisrael Aumann, former Supreme Court justice Tzvi Tal, and former Justice Minister Amnon Rubenstein of the left-wing Meretz party.
In addition, nearly 200 rabbis throughout Israel, including past and present Chief Rabbis, chief rabbis of cities and regional councils, and more, have signed an open letter to President Bush, stating simply:
“As a G-d fearing people, we feel a humane and ethical duty to write you... Mr. Jonathan Pollard is currently serving his 23rd year in prison. He is ill and his condition is serious. We respectfully request that you act mercifully towards him. Please grant him clemency as a humanitarian gesture to the Jewish People and the State of Israel. With G-d's blessing, Mr. Pollard's release will bring only good to the United States and the American People.”
How about Israel releases Mordechai Vanunu? or the other countless actual political prisoners they're holding, both Israeli and Palestinian.
I'd rather free people like Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier than Jonathan Pollard. Jonathan Pollard not only spied for Israel but also for South Africa's apartheid government....
Rightist party offers Jonathan Pollard top spot on Knesset list http://wa-ne1.www.haaretz.com/hasen/images/0.gif By Nadav Shragai ([email protected]), Haaretz Correspondent http://wa-ne1.www.haaretz.com/hasen/images/0.gif Tags: Jonathan Pollard (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/tags/index.jhtml?tag=Jonathan+Pollard) http://wa-ne2.www.haaretz.com/hasen/images/tags/tag_arrow1.gif
The extreme right-wing Our Land of Israel party has offered the top spot on its Knesset list to convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, who is currently serving a life sentence in a United States Federal Prison for espionage.
The legality of the offer is unclear and Pollard's family have refused to endorse it, saying his name should not be used to support any politicular political party, as his actions were meant to help all of Israel.
Pollard served as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy in the 1980s, where he used his position to funnel classified information to Israel in exchange for cash and jewelry. He was found guilty of espionage in 1987, and was sentenced to life in prison.
The Our Land of Israel party, which is headed by far-right activists Baruch Marzel and Rabbi Dov Volpo, has called on all other parties in the Knesset to follow their lead and add Pollard to their lists.
Israel granted Pollard citizenship in 1995 and has provided him with legal representation in an effort to lobby for his release, something that successive U.S. administrations have so far refused to do.
Thirty Days to Go: Push for Pollard Intensifies
A video – the second of its kind - of Israeli leaders, public officials, religious leaders and educators calling for Pollard’s release from prison has been released. The five-minute video features a series of speakers from across the political spectrum calling on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to simply ask his friend Pres. Bush to release Pollard.
Other activities are also underway on behalf of Pollard. Over 12,500 Israelis have used a toll-free number to call the White House and ask Bush to grant clemency to Pollard. In addition, a rally is scheduled for the fast day of Asarah B'Tevet, Tuesday, January 6th, in Independence Park in Jerusalem, opposite the U.S. consulate.
Left to Right Call for Pollard's Return Home
Among the personalities on the video are top figures in the left-wing Shomer HaTza’ir movement, the national kibbutz movement, and the religious kibbutz movement. Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman of Migdal HaEmek are also featured.
The movie, like its predecessor that was released a month ago, ends with a dramatic call, on the backdrop of a photo of Olmert with his arm around a smiling Bush: “Mr. Prime Minister: This is your responsibility! Don’t miss this opportunity. Bring Pollard back home - alive!”
Given Pollard’s life sentence and ill health, many feel that this could be Pollard’s last chance to be freed from prison.
An international phone-in campaign to the White House on behalf of Pollard has been underway for the past month. In the last ten days alone, more than 10,000 Israelis have called.
Among the prominent personalities who spoke on the first video were former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon, Nobel Prize winner Prof. Yisrael Aumann, former Supreme Court justice Tzvi Tal, and former Justice Minister Amnon Rubenstein of the left-wing Meretz party.
In addition, nearly 200 rabbis throughout Israel, including past and present Chief Rabbis, chief rabbis of cities and regional councils, and more, have signed an open letter to President Bush, stating simply:
“As a G-d fearing people, we feel a humane and ethical duty to write you... Mr. Jonathan Pollard is currently serving his 23rd year in prison. He is ill and his condition is serious. We respectfully request that you act mercifully towards him. Please grant him clemency as a humanitarian gesture to the Jewish People and the State of Israel. With G-d's blessing, Mr. Pollard's release will bring only good to the United States and the American People.”
How about Israel releases Mordechai Vanunu? or the other countless actual political prisoners they're holding, both Israeli and Palestinian.
I'd rather free people like Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier than Jonathan Pollard. Jonathan Pollard not only spied for Israel but also for South Africa's apartheid government....