Metzger asks PM to persuade Bush to free Pollard

JPost.com Staff - The Jerusalem Post - Sep. 18, 2006

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger asked Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday to raise the issue of releasing Jonathan Pollard to US President George. W. Bush a source in the Rabbinate reported.

Pollard, who worked as a civilian intelligence analyst for the US Navy, was caught in 1985 and convicted of spying for Israel.

Metzger suggested that Pollard be released temporarily for the holidays after serving 20 years of his life sentence.

"Numerous people have asked us to try to push for the release of Jonathan Pollard. It is our responsibility to do everything possible to give him the feeling that Israel feels his pain and worries for him," Metzger said.