Pollard Attorneys On Netanyahu Initiative

NEW YORK - Last week (Jan. 7), Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visited our client Jonathan Pollard in prison in Butner, North Carolina - the first Israeli Prime Minister (active or former) to do so. The meeting, which lasted three hours, was positive and very constructive.

As attorneys for Jonathan Pollard, we feel compelled to respond to certain media reports that question the motives of the former Israeli Prime Minister in visiting our client.

Mr. Netanyahu's visit was the fulfillment of a long-standing promise to Mr. Pollard. Under Mr. Netanyahu's administration, Jonathan Pollard was acknowledged as a bona fide Israeli agent. Now a private citizen, Mr. Netanyahu is continuing his efforts on behalf of Israel's imprisoned agent, largely without public recognition.

At the Wye Conference in 1998, Mr. Netanyahu bargained for, and secured, a commitment from then-President Clinton for Mr. Pollard's release as an integral part of the Wye Accords. Unfortunately, to date, the U.S. Government has not honored its commitment to release Mr. Pollard.

Following his visit with Jonathan Pollard and his wife Esther, Mr. Netanyahu met with us in New York for an in-depth private briefing on our ongoing legal initiatives - a meeting at which he gave generously of his time and insights, and for which he has sought no publicity.

Our goal as Mr. Pollard's attorneys is to secure his release by all lawful means. We are grateful for Mr. Netanyahu's initiative.

Eliot Lauer & Jacques Semmelman
Attorneys for Jonathan Pollard

• Netanyahu Meets With Pollard In North Carolina Prison: Associated Press
• Former PM Netanyahu Visits Pollard In Prison: Israelinsider Feature
• Look to the Future Palestinian Leadership: The National Post [source: IMRA]