FOIA DOC: Conference of Presidents Letter to U.S. Secretary of State Betraying Pollard

J4JP Release - November 18, 2002

The following document, dated March 10, 1987 - six days after Jonathan Pollard was sentenced to life in complete violation of a plea agreement which Pollard honored and the Government abrogated - was recently obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). If ever there were a green light from the leadership of the Jewish community to the American Government to do with Pollard as it wished, this is it.

It is a letter written by Morris Abram, chairman of the Conference of Presidents to George Shultz Secretary of State, pledging the support of the Jewish community while clearly signaling that the Pollard issue is of no consequence to the Jews.

Abram, not Shultz, insists that Pollard not be allowed to interfere with the American Government's Middle East agenda. He assures Shultz unequivocally - though in not so many words - that that no matter what the government may do to Pollard, there will be no protest from the American Jewish community or its leaders. Not content to leave it at that, Abram also signals his intention to enlist the Government of Israel and thereby ensure a united front in the abandonment of Jonathan Pollard.

This letter documents the on-going betrayal Jonathan Pollard has suffered at the hands of the American Jewish leadership - a betrayal that continues to this very day.

Conference of Presidents
of Major American Jewish Organizations
515 Park Avenue

Morris B. Abram
Chairman

Malcolm I. Hoenlein
Executive Director

(212) 373 3237

March 10, 1987

The Honorable George P. Shultz
Secretary of State
State Department
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I think it is appropriate that you know my feelings (as Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations) on the Pollard affair; so therefore, I am enclosing a copy of a Press Release issued today. During the period of your stewardship of the Department of State, our country's stance has dramatically improved to the extent that I now believe that it will bear diplomatic fruit. Also, under this Administration, the American presence in the Middle East is more forcibly apparent because of the doctrine of strategic cooperation with Israel. In my judgment, and I believe in yours as well, it would be contrary to the interest of the United States were the Pollard affair allowed to unravel, in any respect, what you have so painstakingly developed.

I am off to Israel Saturday, where I shall convey the feelings I have expressed in the enclosed statement to the Prime Minister and others in the Israeli government. When I return, I hope I will have the opportunity of discussing these matters with you, for I will welcome your advice.

With deep respect, I am,
Sincerely,

(signed)
Morris B. Abram