US said preparing to release Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard

TIMES OF ISRAEL ^ | 07/24/2015 | REBECCA SHIMONI STOIL AND TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF

[SeekAndFind]

The Obama administration is preparing to release Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted in 1987 of spying for Israel, in hopes of alleviating tensions over the Iranian nuclear deal, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

According to US officials cited in the report, some are pushing for Pollard’s release in a matter of weeks, while others say it could take months. Still other US officials mentioned in the report denied any link between the Iranian nuclear deal and Pollard’s potential release.

ABC News’ managing editor tweeted Friday night that US officials had confirmed to ABC that the former Navy analyst was set to be released in November, when he is eligible for parole.

Israeli government officials — including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself — activists, and even members of Congress have for decades lobbied successive US administrations for Pollard’s release.

There have been several reports in US media in recent months alleging that Pollard may be released later this year.

Last week, one of Pollar’s attorneys, Eliot Lauer, told the Times of Israel that he has received no indication of this.

Last week, one of Pollar’s attorneys, Eliot Lauer, told the Times of Israel that he has received no indication of this.

“We have not received any word, and I would expect that either I or my client would be the ones who would be notified,” he said. Lauer is a member of Pollard’s pro bono legal team, and has represented him for over two decades.

The 61-year-old Pollard is serving a life sentence in a US federal prison for passing classified information to Israel; he was granted citizenship by Israel 20 years ago. The flurry of reports reflect a US government website that lists Pollard’s release date (under ID number 09185-016) as November 21, 2015

[rmlew]

Obama’s is effectively protecting Iran’s nuclear weapons program. And so he dangles Pollard to appease useful idiot Jewish groups and divide pro-Israel groups. Even better, it is a wedge between Israel and American nationalists. As I said it is a trap. And it isn’t even a new ploy. Clinton did the same thing to push the Wye River Accord.
It is insulting because Pollard’s real crime was passing on intel about Iraq’s nuclear weapon’s program. Pollard sacrificed his liberty to protect the world from a nuclear Iraq. And now he is being used to ensure a nuclear Iran.