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| By Israel Insider staff January 10, 2008 |
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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stunned participants at Thursday's working meal of Israeli ministers with US President George W. Bush when he refused to allow them to raise the issue of imprisoned Israeli agent Jonathan Pollard, claiming that it was not the appropriate time to discuss the case. The meal was attended by eight ministers, the heads of the Mossad and Shin-Bet (Israel Security Agency), US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other top American officials.
One of the ministers in attendance, Pensioners Party Chairman Rafi Eitan, was actually Pollard's handler, while President Shimon Peres was the minister to whom Eitan reported. So the men who employed and directed Pollard were enjoying a festive dinner with the Bush, while Pollard is left to rot in prison now into his 23rd year. No wonder Olmert tried to prevent anybody from asking questions.
Olmert claimed that he asked Bush to pardon Pollard when he met with the president on Wednesday, but said that he was turned down. No other details about that alleged exchange, and there was no confirmation of Olmert's claim.
Pollard's wife Esther said she was disappointed that Olmert refrained from discussing her husband, because in Judaism, redeeming captives defers any other issue. She said she was not impressed by Olmert's allegation that he raised the issue the day before .
"That's not how a serious quest is made to secure the release of an Israeli agent in peril after 23 years in jail," Pollard said. "It's not something you casually bring up and then leak to the press. It reeks of a feeble attempt to discourage the massive public outcry for Jonathan's release. That's the best possible sign that the effort is succeeding and the Jewish people needs to redouble its efforts and press even harder to bring him home."
The entire Jerusalem city council signed a letter calling for Pollard's release, hand-delivered to Bush by Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupoliansky Wednesday. Shas chairman Eli Yishai delivered to Bush a letter from Esther Pollard and another from Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef asking for Pollard's release. If Bush answered his request affirmatively, the rabbi said, he would be blessed with a long life. If not, well, that wasn't indicated.
"One of the most important mitzvot in Judaism is redeeming captives," Yosef wrote. "At this opportune time, I offer my humble request on behalf of the Jews of Zion that Your Excellency release our brother, the prisoner Jonathan Pollard, who is serving a sentence for spying on behalf of the State of Israel. His health is deteriorating."
The King David hotel staff reported being flooded with faxes calling for the pardon of Pollard. |
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