National Post | 23Sep2010 | Orest Slepokura
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/09/23/todays-letters-republicans-are-discovering-who-the-true-conservatives-are/#ixzz10MkUYR5c
To release a spy
Re: Israel Denies Asking U.S. For Spy’s Release, Sept. 22, 2010.
http://www.nationalpost.com/Israel+denies+asking+release/3559644/story.html
In 1996, Joseph diGenoa, former U.S. attorney for the District of
Columbia and the lead prosecutor in the Jonathan Pollard case, gave
many compelling reasons why the convicted spy should not receive the
special constitutional favour of clemency.
These included his singular lack of remorse, the far-reaching nature of
his crimes, and a real possibility that were he free and able to move
to Israel — which, unconscionably, granted him citizenship — Pollard
could yet further damage U.S. national security by sharing his
knowledge of intelligence data.
Pollard gave 360 cubic feet of classified documents to his Israeli
handlers; material never returned.
Had he perhaps been motivated by misguided Zionist idealism, as some
claim? In the words of DiGenoa: “In 1984, Pollard agreed to a 10-year
plan of espionage against the U.S. for pay. He was to receive $540,000.”
Orest Slepokura,
Strathmore, Alta.
If Israel didn’t ask the United States for Jonathan Pollard’s release,
I’d be very disappointed in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This is
probably one of the few opportunities to secure his release, and undo
an act of outright anti-Semitism and injustice.
Equally, if Mr. Obama wants to wallow in the mire of Middle East
politics, he has to learn that if you play in mud you get dirty.Past
presidents have refused to release Pollard for fear of the State
Department, CIA and FBI, combined.
If Mr. Obama wants to extend the three-month building freeze in the
disputed territories, there is a price. In politics it’s what you do,
not what you promise.
Moshe Sheskin, London,
Ont.