Hendel Asks What About Pollard?

Arutz 7 ^ | July 227, 2003 | staff

[Nachum]

IsraelNN.com) Deputy Minister (National Union) Tzvi Hendel today asked once again that the issue of the release of PA prisoners be linked to America's release of Jonathan Pollard.

Hendel added "the impertinence cries to the heavens", explaining that while we continue to release terrorists, Jonathan Pollard remains in a US prison.

Other requests made to the prime minister to link prisoner releases to the release of Pollard and Israeli citizen Azzam Azzam [who is imprisoned in Egypt] have been rejected by Prime Minister Sharon.

[Honestfreedom]

Israel is being asked to release terrorists who are a major threat to their security. Pollard is no threat to anyone at this point. If the idea is to let bygones be bygones then Bush should be willing to release Pollard. The guy has suffered in prison for 18 years now. Whatever deterrence was desired in his case has certainly been achieved.

[churchillbuff]

I very much question the wisdom of releasing these terrorists at all

I'm not debating the policy choices; they're open to debate and you may be right. What I can't let go unanswered is the writer's claim that "the US wants Jews killed." The administration's policy may be misguided -- I'm not taking a position here -- but to attribute it to a desire of the US that "Jews should be killed" is crap -- and, as I wrote earlier, reminds me of nothing so much as hate-America Leftists who say similar things about Newt Gingrich wanting poor people to die, or Lott wanting blacks to be lynched -- just because they disagree with certain policies. This kind of rhetoric is more than over the top, it's hateful, and shows a basic hatred of America.

[Nachum]

I am an American, period.

[Nachum]

Well stated.

[BlackElk]

Indeed you are, my friend. May I suggest a private exchange of e-mails between you and churchillbuff which will probably lead to a better understanding?

[BlackElk]

Thank you from you L'er Catholic friend and admirer.

[CatoRenasci]

Your reply is a non sequitor, and Israel's releasing Arab prisoners is completely unrelated to the Pollard affair. It's truly silly and, even harmful, to say the US wants Jews to die. C'mon, without the US, Israel would be in a much worse position than it is now. The fact that the US supports Israel, though not always in the way some Israelis would like, doesn't mean we condone everything Israel does. And, spying on the US is a real no no. Pollard rotting in jail is a fine example to remind everyone that the US does not tolerate breach of trust in friends any more than in enemies. Further, Pollard was an American citizen, holding an office of profit and trust under the United States, who betrayed his oath and signed agreement not to disclose classified information. If he were sincere that Israel need the information, he would not ask to be released, rather he would say "I violated my oath to the US to help Israel because I thought it was right. But, I did breach the trust the United States placed in me. Therefore, I am guilty and deserve whatever penalty US law provides."

[Nachum]

My reply about the Pollard case is in direct response to the lack of fairness in it. We have no idea how long Pollard should be in jail for becuase no one, except for Cap Weinberger and the judge know what exactly the evidence was. The court violated its own plea bargain agreement with Pollard to lock him up for so long. Therefore, in the eyes of many his sentence was itself a non sequitor. If the fairness of US law is off the table, than everything is therefore negotiable.

[af_vet_1981]

This kind of reckless, hateful rhetoric bespeaks a paranoid hatred of the US - even if it's coming from a freeper.

I don't think so. I think it indicates a level of frustration with terrorist attacks. I was shopping today and imagined what would happen to American culture and attitudes if homocide bombers started targeting food stores. Consider what Israel has endured and be sensitive to the loss of life. Would Americans show the same restraint in similar circumstances ? We are seeing some of this now in Iraq and my sense of frustration grows with each casualty. Don't think for a minute President Bush doesn't care about the loss of innocent life. He cares.

[af_vet_1981]

A lot of people at FR would disagree with you.

I know. They are frustrated and want to influence the Bush Administration to keep it honest. Rep. Delay and former Speaker Gingrich do to. It is a complex problem.

[ladyjane]

If the US wants Jews to die

You are not helping your cause

[The_Media_never_lie]

This has nothing to do with Pollard. May he rot in jail like all traitors.

[CatoRenasci]

Get over it. Pollard will die in jail. I support Israel, and have no use for the Palestinians who want to kill Jews. But, I think Pollard was a dispicable traitor who should have been executed.