Chanukah and Jonathan Pollard

"The potential for positive developments in the Middle East peace process that would result from releasing Pollard cannot be understated. And arguments that Pollard still poses a threat to United States' national security are absurd, at best..."

Congressman Anthony D. Weiner

Congressman Anthony D. Weiner - Jewish Press - December 10, 1999

On this anniversary of the miracle of Chanukah, I am reminded of other less joyous anniversaries that we recognize at this time of year.

November 21, 1999 marked the completion of the 14th year of Jonathan Pollard's imprisonment. Pollard's family now enters its fifteenth year without him and clemency remains our elusive goal.

In fact, the former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Ha Rav Mordecai Eliahu, just last week changed Mr. Pollard's name from Yonatan to Yehonatan, adding the Hebrew letter "heh". In rabbinic teachings, changing a person's name can help change a person's fate.

Pollard, who was convicted of espionage in 1985, celebrated his 45th birthday August 7th in prison. In recognition of this occasion, I wrote to President Clinton calling on him to grant clemency to Pollard, who has been incarcerated longer than any person ever before convicted of espionage on behalf of a United States ally. The potential for positive developments in the Middle East peace process that would result from releasing Pollard cannot be understated. And arguments that Pollard still poses a threat to United States' national security are absurd, at best: "Despite the protestations of your intelligence advisers," I wrote to Clinton, "any information that Pollard passed to Israel, or any information he still possesses, is now clearly out of date. No harm to United States interests could ensue were he to be released." The President has not responded to my letter.

It is time for the President to come out on the right side of this issue. Jonathan Pollard should be freed.