Protesters arrested at Rice's hotel

Associated Press - February 19, 2007

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Police arrested Monday three apparent supporters of imprisoned spy Jonathan Pollard after they managed to enter the floor of the Jerusalem hotel where Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is staying, authorities said.

The protestors climbed the stairs to the floor where Rice is staying and shouted "Free Pollard Now" before they were stopped by bodyguards, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

They called on the United States to free Pollard, who is serving a life term in the United States for spying on the Pentagon for Israel, he said.

Israeli police made the arrests before the protesters got very close to Rice's room, Rosenfeld said. It was not clear if Rice was in the room at the time, he said.

Rice had earlier in the day held a meeting in the hotel with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Pollard was working as a civilian naval analyst for the Pentagon when he was arrested in 1985, and pleaded guilty. His case remains a sticking point in U.S.-Israel relations, and Israel has repeatedly lobbied American presidents for his pardon. Since Pollard's sentencing, Israel has granted him citizenship.