IAJLJ Calls for Commutation of Pollard's Sentence

April 18, 1995

The Honorable William J. Clinton
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

In November 1993, on behalf of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, American Section ("IAJLJ"), I wrote to you to urge commutation of Jonathan Pollard's prison sentence. You decided, however, not to commute his sentence. I write to you today to once again urge you to reconsider your position. It is the position of the IAJLJ that Mr. Pollard's sentence should be commuted to time already served, and we urge you to do so as soon as possible.

Please do not misunderstand our position. As a legal fellowship dedicated to the precepts of Judaism and the rule of law, and as American citizens, we do not condone Mr. Pollard's past actions. However, these same religious and legal guidelines lead us to believe that Mr. Pollard's life sentence is disproportionate to the crime he committed. This seems especially true given that others convicted of espionage against the United States on behalf of enemy nations have been sentenced to far shorter terms of imprisonment. Indeed, the passage of time, in and of itself, intensifies the miscarriage of justice, i.e. excessive punishment, and calls even more ardently for commutation.

I realize that when you decided not to commute Mr. Pollard's sentence it was not easy. However, I am confident that as you are a lawyer yourself, you will ultimately be persuaded by the legal merits of Mr. Pollard's plea for commutation. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Cordially,
(signed)
Stuart S. Kurlander
Vice President