National Zionist Organization of America Urges Clinton To Commute Pollard's Sentence

June 6, 1994

President Bill Clinton
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the National Zionist Organization of America, of which I am National President, I am writing to urge to reconsider your decision to deny clemency to Jonathan Jay Pollard.

Mr. Pollard's sentence of life imprisonment, for having passed U.S. intelligence information to a

friendly

country (Israel), was

far more severe

than that given to individuals convicted of similar crimes involving

enemy

countries.

Furthermore, the sentencing judge may have been unfairly influenced by a letter from then-Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, that used the term "treason," even though

Mr. Pollard was neither indicted not convicted of treason, nor damaging the security of the United States

A commutation of Mr. Pollard's sentence on humanitarian grounds is not a condoning of his breaking of the law, but a recognition that

the time he has already served is enough punishment

in view of the circumstances surrounding his crime.

I therefore respectfully urge you to commute Mr. Pollard's sentence to time served.

Sincerely,

Morton A. Klein
National President
National Zionist Organization of America