Opinion
Obama, time to free Pollard
Danny Naveh
Published: 24.11.11, 18:24
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36 Talkbacks for this article
1. Enough is ENOUGH!
Jim ,   USA   (11.24.11)
2. Help with Jewish vote
Zev ,   Israel   (11.24.11)
When would be best time to have maximum impact on vote. Only question for Obama is will the bottom line be more votes or less votes.
3. Pollard
Joshua ,   USA   (11.24.11)
Pollard is a slimebag that was going to sell his countrie's security to the highest bidder. He was sentenced in the court of law and got what a traitor deserves. How would Israel like it if the US administration pestered them day in and day out to release an Israeli traitor jailed for selling his country's secrets to the highest bidder? Enough with this crap about "Poor Pollard".
4. Basic Respect to an Ally
Yoseph Rosensweig ,   Maaleh Adumim,Israel   (11.24.11)
I just want to add that Prime Minister Netanyahu has submitted a formal request for Pollard's release. Common decency dictates that President Obama not ignore a request from a very close ally, just as Israel constantly responds to American dictates to Israel.
5. Pollard
John Robey ,   Austin, Texas   (11.24.11)
Since almost no one who writes here no exactly what Pollard did and the extent of the damage he cuased or the number of lives and assets lost....how can anyone say he should go free..."enough is enough" Pollard may have expressed "regrets" but he has never apoligized. No President on over a quarter of a century has been willing to set him free despit enough pressure from the Pollard lobbying groups. He was offering his information to other countries ....not just Israel...he is a traitor driven by the desire for money...not helping Israel. Let him rot where he is and be thankful that he was not executed like traitors before him (e.g., the Rosenbergs after WWII).
6. pollard
forehead1 ,   ohio usa   (11.24.11)
there are some who say that pollard's actions caused many american deaths(in russia). if true, pollard should also die in prison. as the powers that be will never divulge the truth; i assume the worst. in any event, no american would be happy to see pollard recieve a hero's welcome in israel. the best israel can hope for is for pollard to be released under house arrest in the USA.
7. Obama
eran ,   Singapore   (11.24.11)
Of course now is the time to let Pollard go. Obama will use him as pawn to win the next election. Jews, dont vote for Obama unless Pollard goes free. This is your moral duty. Stand by it.
8. Don't free him.
Mark ,   Detroit USA   (11.24.11)
So your saying that Israel has learned it's lesson and if another American intelligence agent offered information to Israeli Mossad, that they would blow the whistle or at least turn it down? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day. Keep him locked up as a warning to the next guy. Sell out America, and you will pay with your life.
9. Free Pollard!
Rachel ,   Israel   (11.24.11)
26 years --- too much! it is a total miscarriage of justice. Pollard is the only person who got such a punishment for this offense. He is now very sick, and must be released ASAP. Many american VIPs have already declared: FREE POLLARD! Enough is enough, and I hope so much that Obama will release Pollard before it is too late.
10. Why is the right obsessed with Pollard?
Gabriel ,   Tel Aviv   (11.24.11)
He was a spy who got the sentence that he deserved.
11. Pollard has been treated much harder.
Johannes ,   Norway   (11.24.11)
Has what Pollard revealed to the Israelis ever been a security threat to the US? What about all the Russian spies who were freed a few years ago? I think Pollard has been treated much harder than any enemy spy because he's a Jew.
12. Amused this is not what all y'all r saying about Anat Kam!
(11.24.11)
Do make up your minds one category for all traitors!
13. Release him !!! ...
split ,   US   (11.24.11)
... to general (prison) population ,... Dozens of US intel assets in Soviet block lost their lifes because of this rat not to mention those billions that we had to spend to re-program our military and an inteligence codes.
14. @ 3 Israeli's don't get it....
Sheik rattle & roll ,   USA   (11.24.11)
If they would shut there mouths maybe we would let the traitor out, but they don't or maybe they don't get it that POLLARD is an AMERICAN. You can give him all the post conviction citizenship's you want but it will never ever negate the fact that he is an American that was employed by the American people (government) and he got caught betraying us. If Israel would shut it's little trap (mouth) maybe we would consider releasing the scum bag, however the more they make noise it becomes a politically sensitive issue and Americans don't like traitors. So whether it's the Black, Jewish, Chinese, Italian, Spanish or Martian vote it won't get Pollard released. Israeli's don't get it American Jews are American not Israeli and they feel betrayed by Pollard as well.
15. Justice is being done..
George ,   US   (11.24.11)
..Pollard is in prison where he belongs for violating his security oath and selling America's military secrets.
16. Time to severely curtail the relationship
George ,   US   (11.24.11)
Too bad Israel is not an ally, simply a favored nation. Look it up. And typically, in an ally relationship, the benefit goes both ways. If this Pollard situation has opened my eyes about anything, it's that the time has come for Israel and the US to go their own ways. The hatred toward the US and government I have perceived from everyday Israeli's has convinced me that our interests no longer align. End the aid and make international decisions based on the best interest of America as the SOLE consideration.
17. On Obama
Dwolf ,   San Jose CA   (11.24.11)
I agree with opinion that OB will finally let Pollard free to get the Jewish vote but I believe Jews shouldn't let Jews vote for Obama. Worst presdent ever for Israel.
18. 16 - 'convinced me that our interests no longer align'
split ,   US   (11.24.11)
Never were, never will. For them and their V-column on Capital Hill we're a milked cow,...
19. Pardon turkeys, not Pollard?
Evelyn Hayes ,   NYC USA   (11.25.11)
As Obama pardons two turkeys naming them Peace and Liberty, he refuses the will of his VP, brother, HR and Senate, petitions, more denying Pollard liberty and peace. The trial was a farce, the incareration is the worst. A 26 year sentence is becoming a death sentence and this president makes a farce of pardons. What about Jonathon? What about humanity? When will the majoirty rule in America again? Such uinhumanity and further insult to NYC bringing his caravan so we cannot enjoy our Thanksgiving. After Wall Street attackers and Obama, the highest taxed city may go on vacation and let the marauders work. . Is that what he wants?.
20. Free Barghouti and 4000 Palestinian prisoners for Pollard
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (11.25.11)
I would agree to that...oh, and no more $3B a year in aid.
21. FREE HIM ONLY IF...
Frank-el ,   Seattle USA   (11.25.11)
Pollard should have his sentence suspended (note, not forgiven) only if: 1. Israeil returns all of the stolen US government property Pollard sold to them as part of spying for Israel 2. Bibi goes on national American TV and gives an unconditional apology for spying on America and for Israel's blatant lack of cooperation with the US investigation 3. Bibi assures the American public that Israel will not spy on America 4. Any future issues of Israeli spying in US will automatically result in immediate cessation of all US taxpayer "aid" to Israel with a law similar to the one cutting off funds to UN when Palestine was permitted entry into UNESCO 5. Pollard is immediately shipped to Israel under agreement never to disclose any information related to his spying or imprisonment (his cost) 6. Pollard's US citizenship is revoked
22. No spy on any side has ever shined more
Josh ,   Atlanta, GA, USA   (11.25.11)
To all the idiots who do not understand what it means to be a spy, how much of Jerusalem do you propose to give up for Pollard? Until you can answer that, shut up. Every time you talk about Pollard, you are harming Israel.
23. #21 Frank-el
Vlad   (11.25.11)
The US spies on Israel all the time. Obama recently ordered increased spying on Israel to find out its intentions on Iran. Why should Israel not be allowed to spy on the USA? And I think that Israel should voluntarily give up US aid. It does not need it like it used to, and it gives America a sway in US foreign policy. Even though I believe Pollard did the right thing, suggestions 5 and 6 are reasonable, and if that's what it takes to get him out, so be it. Israel should do the same thing to American spies caught on its soil.
24. Yes enough is enough
Mark ,   Langley M.D.   (11.25.11)
Yes it is time to free this myth of a spy, a wanna be spy, we're just tired of hearing about this traitor, funniest thing about it he could have been freed yrs. ago if he had shown some remorse, not only to the U.S. but to the State of Israel also. Pollard is and was not a spy true to fashion but a fool and potential dangerous one at that, an ingrate to the country that employed his ineptitude several times honoring his civil rights with gainful employment but he chose to play James Bond in the wrong episode, yes enough is enough let the man go he can look foolish amongst the people he betrayed out here. Time to let him go.
25. If the narcissist in chief believes freeing...
Malone ,   Hfx   (11.25.11)
...Pollard will win him Jewish votes,he'll no doubt do it.
26. Justice?
Ussishkin ,   Tel Aviv Israel   (11.25.11)
He spied on our best ally. He was caught. We dumped him. He should stay dumped. He is not a national hero.
27. Mordechai Vanunu
Larry ,   London, England   (11.25.11)
Give Mordechai Vanunu his freedom to leave Israel. He served his eighteen year sentence, including eleven and a half years in solitary confinement. He does not have any information now that could compromise Israel's security. It is time for justice and mercy. Give him his freedom now!
28. Mr. President, Free Pollard Now!
Yisrael ,   Israel   (11.25.11)
29. Uptime Upto Upfree Biblical Hero
zvulun ,   Uptwn Prmisd Lnd   (11.25.11)
30. #23 NOT SO FAST...
Frank-el ,   Seattle USA   (11.25.11)
Obama ordered increased monitoring of Israel's intentions. This does not automaticlly mean "spying" as you claim. There are many ways to do this (satellite, airwaves, procurement patterns, etc.) that doesn't involve stealing Israel's state secrets and selling them to a foreign power, like Pollard did to the US. And if Israel is such a "great ally" then why wouldn't they tell the US in advance of any military action that would put thousands of US soldiers in harm's way? Seems the least a "friend" could do. And why wont Israel return all the stolen property from Pollard? Only 1 answer to that and you already know why. Please contact AIPAC and your congressman/senators (if you are American) and suggest that foreign "aid" be stopped to Israel and see what kind of answer you get. I'll support you on that one though. Cheers.
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