Opinion: Jonathan Pollard is Dead
Latest update: July 3rd, 2012
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Jonathan Pollard is dead. He died in Butler maximum security prison after 27 years of incarceration. Although many top US security officials joined Israeli efforts for the release of the Israeli operative, Pollard’s health had deteriorated markedly in the last few years resulting finally in his death.
The above headline is not true yet, but it may be weeks, days, or hours away from being true. Don’t avoid the thought of Pollard’s death, look it squarely in the face and ask yourself how you will feel when you hear the news.
If Jonathan Pollard dies in prison then our whole generation will die just a little. We will all bear the stain of having not helped the man who risked his life to protect Israel. When our children will ask us: “Were you around when Jonathan Pollard was alive? Why did he die in prison?” The shameful answer will be: “Yes I was around, and I did not do enough to help him…”
To remind you: Pollard was a US Naval intelligence analyst who passed information to Israel, an ally, about its own self-defense. He was caught and agreed to a plea bargain, and instead of getting 2-4 years like agents who spied against the US for enemy states, Pollard got life in prison without parole. This harsh sentence came about as a result of affidavits written to the court by then-Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger. Weinberger has been discredited by the likes of Robert “Bud” McFarlane, Ronald Reagan’s National Security Advisor at the time, who has written to President Obama stating that Weinberger had a history of “unbalanced reasoning” when it came to Israel. But Pollard is still in prison and if he dies, Israel’s relationship with the US will be forever marred. The ugliness of this whole affair will surface, and it will not sink away like some people would like it to. The stain will grow darker and uglier.
The US presents itself as the global champion of liberty, yet this miscarriage of justice goes on and on. How many more US leaders must stand up so that this torture ends? As Lawrence Korb has written: “Most of the major decision-makers who were intimately involved in the case have issued public calls for clemency. They include former Secretary of State George Shultz, former Senator David Durenberger (R-MI) (who served as Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence at the time of Pollard’s conviction), and former Congressman Lee Hamilton (R-IN) (Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee at the time of Pollard’s sentencing)… Key figures who viewed the classified damage assessment years later also favor Pollard’s release. They include former head of Senate Intelligence Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ), Deputy Attorney General Philip Heymann, Attorney General Michael Mukasey, White House counsel Bernard Nussbaum, as well as James Woolsey, former Director of the CIA. Mukasey, who was attorney general for George W. Bush, stated it well when he wrote that no one alleges Pollard intended to harm the United States with his actions – nor was he ever charged with harming the US.”
I am calling on Israel’s gentile friends: This is the hour of your test – will you let this Jew, who is serving an immoral life sentence for defending Israel, die? Do you want this on your conscience? What will you say to those Jews who ask you: “With all the love you show Israel, did you raise your voice to defend a man who languished – and died – in your prison for attempting to save the Jewish State?” It is your time to stand up and use the democratic channels of which America is so proud. Pull out all the stops. You already have top brass behind the cause, but now the voice of the people must be heard. Make sure your congressmen, senators, and president know that this will not stand. Because without justice and liberty, what is America?
That being said, it is easy to pass the buck. We can blame the US all we want, but have we Israelis made it clear that we demand Pollard’s freedom? No. We went to work, and sent our kids to school, we had a Pesach Seder and some of us mentioned Jonathan’s name, even left a chair for him.
But we did not disrupt our lives, and we did not do enough to disrupt our government’s life and the life of Jewish organizations who represent us. We certainly did not do enough to disrupt the US government’s daily business. In other words, Pollard’s slow death did not matter enough for us to shake things up.
There are efforts being made, for sure: Shimon Peres was handed a letter by the Pollard lobby chairman MK Uri Ariel who said: “Mr. President, I submit to you a letter for President Obama that has been signed by 81 MKs and which calls on him to release Jonathan Pollard. We would be very grateful if you would deliver this letter at your meeting with President Obama in June. We are asking the President of the State of Israel not to wait until the Presidential Medal of freedom award ceremony and even now present this official request to the US President that he pardons Jonathan Pollard on humanitarian grounds forthwith.” President Peres did issue a quick letter to President Obama calling for Pollard’s immediate release on health and humanitarian grounds. But the answer, so far, has been disappointing.
After news of Pollard’s hospitalization, PM Netanyahu’s Media Advisor communicated the following: “The time has come to release Jonathan Pollard. The Festival of Freedom of all Jews needs to become Jonathan Pollard’s private festival of freedom. I have done much, and will continue work, for his release.”
tell a friendAbout the Author: Yishai Fleisher is the Contributing Editor and PR manager at the JewishPress.com, and Israel's only English language broadcast radio show host (Galey Yisrael 106.5FM). Yishai is an Israeli Paratrooper, a graduate of Cardozo Law School, and the founder of Kumah ("Arise" in Hebrew), an NGO dedicated to promoting Zionism and strengthening Israel's national character. Yishai is married to Malkah, they have two children, and they live on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
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3 Responses to “Opinion: Jonathan Pollard is Dead”
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We cannot let Jonathan Pollard die in prison. Justice has been and must be served. And Mr. Pollard must go free now!
I pray Obama wakes up. If he thought Katrina was bad…
Zechariah: 10~12
".. and they shall look unto Me because they have thrust him through; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.
In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
And the land shall mourn, every family…"
Mr Fleisher, with all due respect, nothing will release pollard- and at this point, better he die a Martyr, he is almost gone anyways. If he was released now, t his perpatrators and their sick ideology would be off the hook. This way is really better, in the long run. I used to go tot he ralleys up in LA at Steven Weiss, with his friends and family and all his supporters, I wrote letters, he wrote back, and I never have forgotten his heroic act. he paid the ultimate price, with his very life. God help him, perhaps we could arrange a visit for him, a minyon or something, to bring into his living quarters, and a person to sit with him, in his hours of need. That would be mercifiul, would it not?
Deb, how can you be so negative? Where is your Emuna, your faith in G-d? We must pray for his recovery and release! Not give in to despair – Pollard himself doesn't give in to despair – how can we?
Jessie Schechter I am not talking about giving in Jessie, I am talking about "letting go." At this point if Obamalek has no mercy or decency, which is does not, nor did the last presidents who refused, based on pure political reasons only, then all we can hope for is to make him happy and comfortable in his days of darkness. Why not have visitors, a prpayer group, does he have that lat least? Or someone there to cook homemade meals, something. ???
Sometimes you have to give it up to get it. Bring the world to him.
There is my emunah Jessie Schechter put to use. You know is wife, so get something going now, so that he doesn't have to die alone, in a cell. Is there visitor privledges
I am happy to help where I can:)
Remember, at this point it is pleading and begging, and a sick meglomaniac like Obamalek gets off on it. He loves the power.
If he cared a hoot about his Jewish voting contingency in Florida and NY, Ohio, PA, he would have made the move. But he doesn't, he is not concerned with our vote any longer. His arrogance becomes his lack of decency and moral integrity.
Obama showed the world what kind of man he is- to turn down the pleas of an ex Minister and President of Israel, who practically begged, groveled for the release, for a dying man, a spy, yes, but not one that harmed or intended to harm the US. Obamalek could care less about the Jewish vote. He is too arrogant and devoid of human compassion or decency. And he is the President of America. G-d help us all.
Frankly, I am concerned about the health and life of a fellow Jew, who received a prison sentence that is far beyond fair or acceptable for the crime he committed. Caspar Weinberger may have escaped justice in this world, but I am more than sure he is roasting in the after-world. I am not concerned about everyone else who has wronged Pollard, I am concerned for him. I would like to see Esther calm and smiling for a change, instead of being weighed down by Jonathan's condition and being incarcerated.
Jessie Schechter I <3 u
Obama Has Done a Mis Judgment Of Not allowing The release Of Jonathan Pollard and we all Know Obama Is Not For Decency and True acts Of Kindness!
Deborah Lurya, while I understand what you are saying, and it is "practical", I do not believe we can approach the life of our brother Jonathan this way. We can never give up on him – not until the very last moment. Perhaps he can still be helped, still be healed! How could we resign ourselves to supposing that he is doomed? Indeed, I think this is a moment in which we need to really internalize the concept of loving one's brother as one's self. Certainly, you would not want to be left for dead if you had the yearning for life, for freedom. And if it were your husband, your brother, surely you would want the backing of all the Jewish people in attempting to secure his release, and would be heartbroken at the thought that your loved one had already been given up on and assumed to be a lost cause. Everything should be done for Jonathan – his life should be made comfortable now, and should be fought for in the hopes that we can make him happy and comfortable 10, 20, 30 years from now. May we only know good news and every kind of true freedom for our people.
Of course there is no giving up hope Malka, and I know, believe me I do. But I am only saying that reality is what it is- nothing will unharden Obamalek's heart, he is enjoying all of this, it is his power trip. If he cared, he could have done something, especially now, with all the bad energy between him and Netanyahu, his foreign policy in the ME which favors the arabs, and weakens the Jews. I am not trying to be disrespectful, but I am commenting because I think the more energy put on his release, the less likely Obama will be to let him go, especially now with an election coming up. Aside from his personal reasons, of which anti-Semitism plays a very large role. Yes everything should be done for him, visitors, prayer groups, visitation, and so forth, letters of well wishes. sad as it is, Jonathan spent most of his life behind bars- they already won the battle- they broke him, his life, his dreams, his family, his marraige, and his health. I am very sad for him, and for his family. I met them ages ago, I used to go to their ralleys for him in LA. I used to write him as well. Before I had my own family that is. I have written to politicians, representatives, myself over the years.
I am sorry if I offended your feelings, or your aadorable husband, I love all of your work.
I am just being practical and realistic. Dont expect a gift from the Pharoah- Obamalek. He is not our friend, he is our worst enemy. He has brought all of this on, the unleashing of global anti-Semitism, with his weak ME foreign policy. His bow to the Saudi King. His slap in Bibi's face in the White House, his choice of cabinet members, Brzezinski, Sam Powers, Axelrod, etc- people who want to see a weaker, more docile Israel. As far as I am concerned Obama is MB. I live in Irvine CA, surrounded by our enemies- MB, muslim Student Union, and CAIR. I have been an activist my entire life, a lone wolf, because the Orange County community, the Federation, the temples, the Hillel, the ADL, the Reconstructionist leader and his group Rabbis for Human Rights, these are my peers. Irvine is the second largest Islamic community in America. Our campus has been infiltrated, as have the professors, the students and it has filtered down into the igh schools as well. I have a daughter who is presently living in Yaffo, lonely, ready to pack it up, but not really, not yet- she is trying to get into Oketz. She is trying to be an olah, but it is hard. She told me she came to serve Israel and then she is not sure what she will do. She is my daughter, and i am so proud.
Shalom
This action of Obama needs to be highlighted, the piggishness of our president, refusing the pleas of a dying man's family. We can show him up, his action of hatred and mean spiritedness by having Jonathan's cell always always filled with guests around the clock. The man is very ill, and if G-d has mercy on him, it will not be long from what I understand. So the best thing is to find out if there is anything anyone can do for him or his family to make it easier for them to be with him.
Deborah Lurya, you certainly do not offend me with your comments, – I know that they come from a place of compassion for Jonathan and an interest in doing something concrete iin the face of the unfolding of events in a certain – and seemingly unfavorable – way. It may be true that US President Obama gets enjoyment or some other benefit from not freeing Jonathan. And it may be true that the more we request his release, the more unlikely it becomes that Obama will humor our interests. Nonetheless, at this point we have nothing to do but press and press and press and demand the release of our brother, pounding on the door as if he were caught in a burning building. We can no longer afford to be coy and diplomatic. We have to do everything in our power to bring Jonathan home. What is "realistic" is not up to us.
Malkah Fleisher <3 you are a sweet heart and so is your husband, and your beautiful child. I am a grandmother, I have five, and am in the midst of trying to make aliyah to be with my only child who cares enough about israel to want to risk her life in combat. It is good to try, but with an eye on reality- the O'bastard in the WH will never release him, he is a smug piece of garbage. That is the truth, believe me, I know. I know his type.
I just believe dear Malkah Fleisher that it is best to accept our reality at this point and not be deluded by false hopes. I know that sounds mean, but it is the way I see it. Sometimes we have to be cruel……… I would never waste my energy or talent on Obamalek. He is pure negative energy. Use it to empower the Jewish people, and one way would be to go around his Assholiness, and set up camps outside the Prison, like Shalit did, reminding the world that our President of the US is a piece of work. A real mumser.
embarrass Obama, he is so thin skinned- at least this way we walk with dignity and our heads held high. If Yonatan is released, hoorey, more power to us, if not, we still preserve our self integrity, by our compassion and loving kindness to Jonathan and his family, during these darkest of times. I feel for them, as a parent who understands tragedy when it strikes a child.
Malkah Fleisher I truly agree with you that the outcome is not up to us, and all efforts should continue, but with an understanding that it may not work, and perhaps it would be better if the pleading and negotiations were done in quieter ways, so not to upset the family or disappoint them any more than they are already. My heart goes out to them- through the years, the different presidents, hoping for a pardon, and never receiving one. What I am suggesting is this: Giving positive attention to Pollard and his family members could put the whole scene in a totally different light. Imagine hundreds of people lining up to see him, daily, wearing out the prison staff, a constant flow of well wishers, bearing gifts- baked goods, flowers, reading material, knitted socks, acts of compassion, love, positive energy devoted to him, letting the world see that the Jews have not forsaken him. He needs to know from us that his life, his deed, was not in vain and that he is loved and respected for his valient efforts. He acted as a Jew first, and he paid a heavy price- his adult life. We don't have to accept the edict of a hateful man, it is much better to step over and around the negativity of the current administration. If we are not going to be "coy and diplomatic", then go at it. I am happy to help in any way I can. Shalom to you and your family.
Deborah I couldn't disagree more about putting pressure on Obama. He covets the Jewish vote in this country. If a few well placed Jewish folks would put some pressure on Obama he might cave. If he didn't have the jewish vote so sewed up here he would do something. He just already knows he has their vote. Every President uses "Israel is the only democracy" til they are blue in the face. Israel should scorn Obama the way he scorns your Prime Minister every time he comes here. It is a disgrace the way he treats that man.
Hi Malkah
It seems to me, that we can only storm the Gates of Shamayim at this point. For it is HKBH that hardens the heart of Paro Obama. We need to remember that if HKBH wanted Jonathon to be free he would be free by now. For everything in this life happens by His Hand. So no, we should never give up, ever, but also we have to remember that all the begging of human beings and politicians in this life won’t do any good at all, unless HKBH first influences the person or persons to do His will. Maybe He has brought Jonathon into a much closer relationship that he ever would have had with Him, because of being incarcerated and having to rely on Him for everything. I do know that Jonathon’s reward in the Olam Haba will be very great because of the tremendous love and sacrifice that he has made on behalf of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. I do pray that Jonathon will have a refuah shleima! Also I pray that HKBH will show Jonathon rachmonous and will influence his release soon, for his sake and for the sake of his wife and family who have surely suffered very much also.
Here is a suggestion to help Yonatan's cause, so he should not have suffered in vain, have officials and public figureheads from israeli government, i.e. Sharnansky, Peres, Oren etc. and other notables, every MK, each day of the week, fly in to visit him, and report to the press on his deterioration, and the unjust circumstances he lives in. Turn the energy back at Obama, and drip the poison ever so slowly and consistently before election. Embarass him for his cruelty and hard headedness. Treat it diplomatically.
Good idea, Deborah, but Israel isn't going to do that. The country for which Pollard has given his life never even had the decency to acknowledge that Pollard was its agent. In fact Israel is the main reason Pollard is 27 years in an American prison. He wanted asylum in an Israel embassy and Israel locked him out. Bibi could have taken him home after the infamous Camp David negotiations if he had hung tough when Clinton went back on his word about Pollard with that flimsy excuse about his CIA director threatening to resign.
If Pollard's freedom were really important to Israel, every Israeli leader from Bibi on down would be hammering on this issue every day, in every diplomatic and military meeting Israel has with America. But Israel isn't even the main problem. The silence of American Jews on Pollard is deafening. Who thinks Obama would be able to withstand the pressure in an election year if American Jews took to the streets in sustained demonstrations and loudly demanded Pollard be freed? But 90% of American Jews are secular and assimilationist. Don't hold your breath.
OMG! What a terrible shame on US. So very sad. We failed a patriot and left him to rot.
We do not know the fate of Yohonatan Pollard. We will continue to pray for him…Period. Only G-d know the outcome. Are you the Creator of the Universe who knows the beginning and end of all matters? Remember that everything you say emanates in this world. All the negativity and loshon hora creatives darkness and more negativity and evil. On the other hand all the good we do and the goodness that comes out of our mouth has tremendous power too. Please watch what you say and only be positive. May G-d bless Yohonaton Pollard and bring him complete refua shleima! Please G-d bring him home alive!
Amen.
Enough is enough! Others guilty of much more heinous crimes were not treated with such severe and inhumane punishment. Obama had better wise up (all his talk of "having Israel's back" is cheap pandering for votes) and redeem himself with positive action by pardoning Jonathan Pollard NOW, before the Passover holiday is over. To do less will just show his true sentiments and anti-Semitism.
Friends, tomorrow we storm the White House lines, everyone must participate and invite their friends.
http://www.facebook.com/events/354299851288860/
I did not vote for Obama, I will not vote for Obama and any Jew that votes for him needs to see a psychiatrist.
Unfortunately, Jonathan Pollard made a mistake by trying to save Israel from her enemies. The government of Israel are like Pitt Bulls and Doberman Pinchers due to the fact that whoever helps them ends up being bitten up all over his or her body by the despicable Israeli government. Thank G-d, I made aliyah at an age where I never was drafted into the so-called Israeli army that throws Jews out of their homes and that attacks Jews like a bear or a tiger that escaped from its cage. It is NOT worth fighting for this country only to regret it afterwards due to the fact that the Israeli government punishes those who fight for the “State” of Israel.
have you written Yonatan Pollard today thanking him for acting like a man, a hero, a soldier for Israel, and the US.
Like ·
Deborah Lurya Jonathan Pollard #09185-016.
c/o FCI Butner.
P.O. Box 1000
Butner, NC
U.S.A 27509-100
I did.
We cannot let Jonathan Pollard die in prison. Justice has been and must be served. And Mr. Pollard must go free now!
I pray Obama wakes up. If he thought Katrina was bad…
Zechariah: 10~12
“.. and they shall look unto Me because they have thrust him through; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.
In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
And the land shall mourn, every family…”
Mr Fleisher, with all due respect, nothing will release pollard- and at this point, better he die a Martyr, he is almost gone anyways. If he was released now, t his perpatrators and their sick ideology would be off the hook. This way is really better, in the long run. I used to go tot he ralleys up in LA at Steven Weiss, with his friends and family and all his supporters, I wrote letters, he wrote back, and I never have forgotten his heroic act. he paid the ultimate price, with his very life. God help him, perhaps we could arrange a visit for him, a minyon or something, to bring into his living quarters, and a person to sit with him, in his hours of need. That would be mercifiul, would it not?
Deborah Lurya, while I understand what you are saying, and it is “practical”, I do not believe we can approach the life of our brother Jonathan this way. We can never give up on him – not until the very last moment. Perhaps he can still be helped, still be healed! How could we resign ourselves to supposing that he is doomed? Indeed, I think this is a moment in which we need to really internalize the concept of loving one’s brother as one’s self. Certainly, you would not want to be left for dead if you had the yearning for life, for freedom. And if it were your husband, your brother, surely you would want the backing of all the Jewish people in attempting to secure his release, and would be heartbroken at the thought that your loved one had already been given up on and assumed to be a lost cause. Everything should be done for Jonathan – his life should be made comfortable now, and should be fought for in the hopes that we can make him happy and comfortable 10, 20, 30 years from now. May we only know good news and every kind of true freedom for our people.
Here is a suggestion to help Yonatan’s cause, so he should not have suffered in vain, have officials and public figureheads from israeli government, i.e. Sharnansky, Peres, Oren etc. and other notables, every MK, each day of the week, fly in to visit him, and report to the press on his deterioration, and the unjust circumstances he lives in. Turn the energy back at Obama, and drip the poison ever so slowly and consistently before election. Embarass him for his cruelty and hard headedness. Treat it diplomatically.
We do not know the fate of Yohonatan Pollard. We will continue to pray for him…Period. Only G-d know the outcome. Are you the Creator of the Universe who knows the beginning and end of all matters? Remember that everything you say emanates in this world. All the negativity and loshon hora creatives darkness and more negativity and evil. On the other hand all the good we do and the goodness that comes out of our mouth has tremendous power too. Please watch what you say and only be positive. May G-d bless Yohonaton Pollard and bring him complete refua shleima! Please G-d bring him home alive!
Enough is enough! Others guilty of much more heinous crimes were not treated with such severe and inhumane punishment. Obama had better wise up (all his talk of “having Israel’s back” is cheap pandering for votes) and redeem himself with positive action by pardoning Jonathan Pollard NOW, before the Passover holiday is over. To do less will just show his true sentiments and anti-Semitism.
Friends, tomorrow we storm the White House lines, everyone must participate and invite their friends.
http://www.facebook.com/events/354299851288860/
have you written Yonatan Pollard today thanking him for acting like a man, a hero, a soldier for Israel, and the US.
Like ·
Deborah Lurya Jonathan Pollard #09185-016.
c/o FCI Butner.
P.O. Box 1000
Butner, NC
U.S.A 27509-100
I did.