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Pollard: 23rd year in prison
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| By Israel Insider staff December 31, 2007 |
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Responding to the news that the Knesset State Control Committee voted unanimously today to empower State Comptroller Judge Micha Lindenstrauss to investigate the Government's 23 year failure to secure Jonathan Pollard's release, Esther Pollard gave the following statement to Galei Tzahal (IDF) Radio :
"There is a time to investigate and there is a time to act expeditously to save a life. After 23 years in prison in harsh conditions Jonathan's life is literally hanging in the balance. Every day he struggles to survive in spite of his failing health; in spite of the harsh conditions he is held in; and in spite of the violent, anti-Semitic environment .
In a very few days from now, President George Bush will arrive in Israel.
Now is the time for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to ask President Bush to make a gesture to Israel. One gesture, one prisoner, Jonathan Pollard, home, now.
Jonathan has served more than 5 times the ususal sentence for the offense he committed, including 7 years in solitary confinement. Israel has already paid the full price for Jonathan at Wye (the release of 750 terrorists with blood on their hands). With the visit of President George Bush to Israel next week, now is the right moment to collect his release.
The time to save Jonathan's life is now. To bring him home safe and sound.
When Jonathan is home and out of harm's way, there will be ample time to investigate."
From Paris to Pollard: Jerusalem Square to be renamed
Meanwhile, a central Jerusalem square will be symbolically dedicated to Jonathan Pollard ahead of President Bush's visit to Israel. Mina Fenton, a Jerusalem city councilwoman, announced this week that Paris Square -- meters from the Prime Minister's official residence, and scene of many demonstration by the left and right --will be symbolically renamed "Pollard Square" in a ceremony on Jan. 7, two days before Bush begins his first visit as U.S. president to Israel.
The move is intended to help influence Bush to pardon Pollard, a former U.S. Navy analyst who is serving a life sentence in prison for providing classified intelligence material to Israel.
Fenton said there are no plans to formally change the square's name. |
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