Jonathan Pollard Reacts To Announcement By Minister Melchior

Dr. Aaron Lerner - September 8, 1999

The following is Jonathan Pollard's reaction to the announcement today by Minister for Social and Diaspora Affairs Rabbi Michael Melchior that he will meet Ms. Esther Pollard at the request of Prime Minister Ehud Barak, at his office after the holidays and visit Jonathan Pollard during his upcoming visit to the United States towards the end of the year:

'I was shocked at the Government's sleazy attempt at deflecting public attention away from the fact that Prime Minister Ehud Barak will absolutely not take any responsibility for bringing this agent home.

There are three observations about the Government's decision to insert Rabbi Melchior into this affair right now:

They are sending the lightest of the lightweights which will be perceived immediately by the Americans as a stunt to assuage Israeli public opinion and it will be treated as a joke in Washington.

He is also the Minister for Diaspora Affairs and this is just another attempt on the part of Barak to make this an internal American affair.

The point is this: I am an Israeli agent who worked for the Ministry of Defense. As such, it is up to General Barak who is now Prime Minister Barak to get me home and nobody else.'

The complete announcement follows:

Minister Melchior To Meet Pollard

Minister for Social and Diaspora Affairs Rabbi Michael Melchior today (Wednesday) 8.9.99, announced he will meet Ms. Esther Pollard at the request of Prime Minister Ehud Barak, at his office after the holidays. Minister Melchior will visit Jonathan Pollard during his upcoming visit to the United States towards the end of the year.