and he should be released. Make no mistake, he is a criminal of the highest order, his long prison sentence is totally justified, but it should be over. He should be stripped of his US citizenship. He should not be regarded as a hero in Israel, he should be scorned by society as should his activator Rafi Eitan. He must never be allowed to profit financially by exploiting his errors and crimes, he should express regret, apologize to America and live out his life in ignominy.

Many in the USA would love see Pollard feted by the people of Israel and especially Nethanyahu. It would be an international alternate media event.

Murderers of Americans are released. One American citizen whose illegal actions have not caused any harm to his country is rotting in jail.

Among those who received prison sentences (i.e., not sentenced to death), Hess -- sentenced to life -- comitted suicide in prison. The others were released early "due to ill health."

Among the war criminals given prison terms (i.e., not sentenced to death), only Hess -- sentenced to life -- committed suicide in prison. The others Nazis were released early "due to ill health." Is Pollard a worse criminal than these monsters? No one sentenced in the U.S. for espionage (NOT treason, which is only during wartime) received such a lenghy prison sentence, and NONE of them served so many years of their sentence. It's high time for justice finally, although belatedly, to prevail Pollard should be pardoned immediately.

Marcia correctly summarized the true facts in the Pollard case. Pollard pleaded guilty to possession of classified information and he was to receive 10 year sentence under that plea agreement until Weinberger intervened and the Court unexpectedly rejected the agreement. Pollard was never tried and convicted of any crime. He was never charged w/espionage. No one has ever received a life sentence for possession and/or transfer of classified documents.

Rudolf Hess was imprisoned from May 1941 until his death in August 1987. He was 93 years old. It was the alleged suicide of an ancient man who had been imprisoned a lot longer than fatboy Jonny the sell out. Posters above trying to set false parallels between Hess and fatboy need to tell the whole story. Hess even tried to make peace when he was captured unlike fatboy who was motivated by failure and greed. No higher purposes there, only his lust for $ and jewelry. Some "best ally" Israel is if they hold the pig Jonny boy up on a pedestal.

Pollard should never have been given a life sentence but should have been executed as a foreign spy.

The fact that you chose to give him citizenship is your business. He was an American when he spied, and he is still an American as far as we are concerned. As for "...improve the strained ties with Israel...", we are neither interested in, or looking to improve relations with Israel. We are done with Israel. The numerous reports over the years of "imminent release" have been Israeli fishing expeditions, and this new one from WSJ is no different. Frankly, non of this is any of your business. Stop interfering in American affairs. The fact that Israeli government has embraced Pollard as "one of their own" proves US and Israel are not allies. The fact that so many American-Jews have asked for his release goes to prove their disloyalty to US.

Please see my #1. You are right to be angry. Pollard is despicable, his actions were purely for financial gain. Treason, and that was his crime, is up there with murder, kidnap and rape. I just wish to point out to you that this was not official government policy. This was done by a rogue operative who on his own initiative activated Pollard. When Pollard was apprehended this operative denied all knowledge of the affair. This operative is himself a despicable person. That Israel should give Pollard the status of hero would be very disturbing and definitely the wrong and not prudent thing to do.