Pollard's Attorney Writes on Remorse

May 19, 1996 - Larry Dub - The Jerusalem Post
Letters to the Editor

Sir - Once again the top official from the Israeli government goes to Washington, is warmly embraced by all American officials, including President Clinton, asks for my client's release, and comes back to Israel empty-handed without Jonathan Pollard. We are told that if only Pollard would show remorse, not be so loud, the administration would look differently at his case.

Unfortunately, the remorse issue continues to be exploited as both an opportunity and an excuse. It is an excuse for some who wish to avoid taking responsibility for rectifying what appellate Justice Steven Williams termed "a fundamental and complete miscarriage of justice". It is an opportunity for others to keep moving the goal posts, for no matter how often or how heart-wrenchingly Jonathan Pollard expresses remorse, it is never enough.

Allow me to assure you, one does not spend eleven years in prison, most of it in harsh circumstances and total isolation, without feeling and expressing sincere remorse.

My client's remorse is a matter of record. At sentencing, Jonathan Pollard made a detailed statement of remorse, and has reiterated his remorse both verbally and in writing on numerous occasions over the last eleven years. This includes the letters he has sent to numerous newspapers throughout the country detailing his remorse and expressing his regrets. On December 6, 1995, I filed a petition for commutation on behalf of Mr. Pollard with President Clinton which is still on his desk.

Recent events related to the espionage community make the disproportionality of my client's case stand out even more markedly. I refer to the case Lt. Commander Michael Schwartz (a non-Jew) who was indicted for spying for another ally, Saudi Arabia, and who was let off without ever serving a day in prison. I refer also to those traitors who committed treason by spying for the worse enemy of the U.S., Clayton Lontree and William Kampiles. Both of these traitors recently were granted early release. My client did not spy for an enemy. He is not a traitor and did not commit treason. He is serving the longest, harshest sentence in the history of the United States for anyone convicted of a similar offence.

But where does it end and what is really going on in the halls of government? How is it possible to explain the fact that the American president is ready to given Shimon Peres everything ("I didn't even know what to ask for anymore"), but no Pollard . The sad answer it is not possible. Not possible unless you are dealing with a calculated and evil plan deliberately designed to keep Jonathan in prison.

So while Jonathan Pollard angers certain people in Washington and Israel, he continues to fight for his freedom in a legitimate and courageous manner.

Perhaps the voters need to remind the politicians that the cruel and evil conduct exhibited by our government over the last eleven years cannot and will not be tolerated.

Very truly yours,
Larry Dub