IMRA Comment on Cabinet Communique:
Netanyahu asked Obama to Free Shalit, But Not Pollard

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA - July 12, 2010

It is noteworthy from both the English and original Hebrew versions of the 11 July Cabinet Communique that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opted, at the meeting he held with President Obama -- a meeting that could very well mark the apogee of President Obama's good will towards PM Netanyahu, to ask President Obama to help Israel gain the release of Gilad Schalit from Hamas (a group President Obama has limited influence with) but declined to ask President Obama to release Jonathan Pollard - an action that President Obama could achieve with literally the stroke of a pen.

So here is the puzzle::

- When relations were poor, the release of Pollard wasn't raised so as not to exacerbate the situation.

- When relations are good, the release of Pollard wasn't raised so as not to rain on the parade.

So when exactly does Prime Minister Netanyahu ask President Obama to release Jonathan Pollard?