Israeli Schools To Hold Compulsory "Pollard Class"

Education Ministry instructs Israel's Schools to hold 'Pollard class' next week

Tamar Trablesi-Haddad - YNET - November 17, 2005

The Education Ministry has instructed schools across the country to dedicate one hour next Monday to discussing spy Jonathan Pollard, who is currently serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison after being convicted of spying for Israel.

The move was ordered by Education Minister Limor Livnat to mark 20 years since Pollard's arrest, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Wednesday.

During the class, students will receive background information on Pollard and his life. Later, teachers and students will discuss the question of the State of Israels obligation to Pollard.

Jonathan Pollard, an American Jewish Navy intelligence officer, was detained in the U.S. on November 21, 1985 and charged with providing Israel with classified information.

Minister Livnat explained that "Israel's obligation to Pollard is not controversial and therefore I thought it proper to determine that the education system bring his contribution to the State of Israel to students' attention."

Livnat, who visited Pollard in jail when she served as communication minister, noted "it took Israel a long time to recognize Pollard (as an Israeli spy.) Israel sent him on his mission, and therefore had to do everything to release him...the American administration is being stubborn regarding Pollard more than it is with anyone else."

See Also: Hebrew Text: Compulsory Lesson on Pollard: Tamar Trablesi-Haddad (PDF file)