Report: US to release Pollard in Barghouti swap deal

JERUSALEM POST ^ | Apr. 16, 2006 | Staff

[Sabramerican]

Report: US to release Pollard in Barghouti swap deal JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Apr. 16, 2006

Officials in Jerusalem claimed on Saturday that the US would free imprisoned Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard in exchange for Israel releasing jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.

According to Army Radio, Israel is set to offer the proposed prisoner swap deal in the next few months, following the unfolding anarchy in the Palestinian Authority. Seemingly, Israel intends to use Barghouti's release to strengthen the Fatah movement against the background of the much criticized rule of the new Hamas-led Palestinian government.

In 2004 Israel suggested a similar move but the initiative was rejected by the US government. Jerusalem officials predict that on this occasion the White House will accept the proposal.

Pollard, a former Mossad agent, was convicted of selling US military secrets to Israel, while he worked at the Defense Department's Pentagon headquarters. He was arrested in 1985 and pleaded guilty to the espionage charges. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, and has been incarcerated in a US jail for the past 21 years.

The Israeli government denied for years that Pollard was its spy but finally acknowledged it in 1998.

Various prime ministers have since made efforts to secure a pardon for Pollard, none of which have been successful.

[Sabramerican]

What “In the Arena” [Regnery] does not recount is his pivotal involvement with the Jonathan Pollard spy case. Weinberger was called upon by the judge to assess the damage Pollard, a civilian Navy analyst, did to national security. Asked in an interview why he omitted the incident, Weinberger casually replied, “Because it was, in a sense, a very minor matter but made very important.” Asked to elaborate, Weinberger repeated, “As I say, the Pollard matter was comparatively minor. It was made far bigger than its actual importance.”

[rogue yam]

If the article is on FR, people can't be expected not to comment on it.

There's a big difference between commenting on something and assuming, without evidence, that it is true.

[Howlin]

Pollard should be hung.

Pollard should be have been hung.

[Howlin]

Hasn't Pollard been released a almost a dozen times already?

Yes. Esther spreads this rumor about once a year.

[Howlin]

Love your graphic.

[Sabramerican]

What one country on Earth is today, in every way measurable, better off then it was on Sept 10, 2001?

Notwithstanding 15 of 19 of their citizens?

[gondramB]

"What, quite frankly, does the UNITED STATES get out of this reported idiotic exchange? Appalling."

Do we think he is a counter-balance against Hamas?

[Howlin]

There's a big difference between commenting on something and assuming, without evidence, that it is true.

Not to some people. But you knew that.

[monkeyshine]

That's exactly what they think. They think the Palestinians love Barghouti and that he will defeat Hamas by popular support. It also means they think Abbas is dogmeat and they need another leader.

Trouble will stir and Abbas will call for new elections and Bargouti will come to the rescue as a populist winner of the new election.

You never know. He has been in Israeli prison now for many years. He could be a double agent by now. (just a little bit joking).

More seriously, it's clear Israel is serious about 'introvergence' and that in the absense of Israelis the Palestinians need some kind of serious leadership. The west have nothing in Abbas and no respect for Hamas so... big change.

[onyx]

Hey, long time no see!
I understand what you're saying and the article as well, it's just that I cannot fathom this working.

[Mike Darancette]

The people who should know better than others not to trust the MSM seem to do so every darn time, no matter how wild the accusation.

If it is anti-Bush it must be true.

[darkwing104]

It's spin...Don't buy into it...Probably won't happen.

Israel is set to offer the proposed prisoner swap deal in the next few months

Just wishful thinking on Israel's part.

[Texas_Jarhead]

This sounds absurd.

[safisoft]

I believe Pollard should be released. He has served more then appropriate time for his offense the real offense not the fiction that has grown around him fed by malicious sources).

Free Pollard! Execute our real enemies!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[In 2004 Israel suggested a similar move but the initiative was rejected by the US government. ]

So, what has changed since 2004? This sounds fishy (r perhaps it's a trial baloon). I'd like to know more about the details. If true, the Bush Admin owes needs to explain the reasoning behind this strange move.

[CWOJackson]

The problem I have with believing this is why would Israel be offering this kind of deal now?

We have Iran on the verge of becoming a nuclear power and declaring they will destroy Israel. America may be their only friend in stopping this. Why pick now to start throwing political fire crackers at the White House?

[gunner03]

Wow, by the third post, blaming the republican, Bush, and anything else. Of course, waiting to see if it's true is not a consideration. No wonder the conservatives lose, we're our own worst enemy.

[onyx]

GOOD point.

Article notes "Officials in Jerusalem" and "Army radio" --- no names, VAGUE.

I doubt it's accurate.

[CWOJackson]

Trying to politically ham-string a President under assault from all sides, who may be the only leader in the world with the commitment to come to your aide with Iran, just doesn't seem smart to me.

[onyx]

And it seems deliberate.
THAT is what I find most troubling.