Brooklyn, NY – In the waning hours of George W. Bush’s presidency, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), in conjunction with 21 of his legislative colleagues throughout New York City, today affixed their signatures to a letter sent to President Bush beseeching him for a pardon for Jonathan Pollard. Pollard is now serving the 24th year of a life sentence imposed for spying for Israel.
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Joining Assemblyman Hikind in the call for Pollard’s release are: Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny; Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz; Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz; Assemblyman Alan Maisel; Assemblyman Rory Lancman; Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn; Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs; Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein; Assemblyman Mark Weprin; Assemblyman Joe Lentol; Senator Eric Adams; Senator Jeffrey Klein; Senator Kevin Parker; Senator Diane Savino; Senator John Sampson; Councilman Mike Nelson; Councilman David Weprin; Councilman David Yassky; Councilman Simcha Felder; Councilman Leroy Comrie and Councilman Matthieu Eugene.
The legislators’ letter states in part, “As elected officials representing diverse constituencies throughout New York City, we write to you concerning a grave injustice which can only be made right by you. With the end of your presidency drawing near, we ask for your clemency on behalf of Mr. Jonathan Pollard in the form of a presidential pardon. While we in no way condone his acts of espionage, nor underestimate the gravity of Mr. Pollard’s crime, the lifetime sentence imposed on Mr. Pollard is unduly severe and inconsistent with the sentences awarded to other Americans convicted of similar offenses. We believe after more than two decades, any knowledge Mr. Pollard possessed no longer poses a danger to national security, and considering the exceptional circumstances surrounding his case, he has long since paid his debt to society.”
Hikind reflected on his personal visit with Pollard at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina in 2007 stating, “I can attest to the fact that Jonathan is remorseful for his actions. He acknowledges he broke the law. All he is asking for is proportionality, and today, we asked President Bush to give him that much. I hope and pray to God that our request is granted.”
According to the official Jonathan Pollard website (http://www.jonathanpollard.org), Pollard was a civilian American Naval intelligence analyst who discovered that information vital to Israel’s security was being deliberately withheld by the United States in the mid-1980s. Based on a 1983 Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries, Israel was legally entitled to have this intelligence which concerned Syrian, Iraqi, Libyan and Iranian nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare capabilities being developed for use against Israel.
Pollard’s superiors refused to divulge this intelligence, thereby placing Israeli lives in jeopardy. When his efforts to end the United States’ covert policy toward Israel proved unsuccessful, Pollard began to give information to Israel directly. In 1985, his actions were discovered by the United States government. He was indicted on only one count of passing classified information to an ally, without intent to harm the United States.
Pollard never had a trial. He received a life sentence and a recommendation that he never be paroled. No one else in the history of the United States has ever received a life sentence for passing classified information to an ally. The median sentence for this offense is two to four years, and yet, Pollard is now in his 24th year in prison.
Hikind urges people to continue the calling campaign on behalf of Jonathan Pollard. “People should never think their call doesn’t matter,” Hikind said. “Every single one counts. The White House tallies all calls and submits the nature of the calls to President Bush.”
Contact The White House at:
202.456.1414 or 202.456.1111 Calls are accepted Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM EST.
With all the problems in EY and Madoff, Rubashkin etc. now is not the time to be seeking a pardon. We don’t need to further inflame the current environment against yidden…
the israeli gov is the one that wants him to rot in prison
again, no one is above the law. what part of that don’t you comprehend? if an african american helped sudan, they would be in jail for life. and no one here would fight for that person to be released.
to dope in #1 if you were in jail when precisely would the right and wrong time be?
i however attempted to call the whitehouse again and was told that the comment division is no longer active as the folk were dismissed in preparation for the new administration.
you can e mail them at [email protected]
I called but they no longer take calls.
Does any one the E-Mail address to the white house ???
to #6 —
the email address is [email protected]
Why would want to give anything for the Jews after what Olmert said to the media regarding Condi Rice?
1/14/09 white house comment line is temporarily closed. Tomorrow it should be open.
i am so sickened by the many people on this site who constantly worry about angering the U.S. or e.u. govs. or even hamas y’s. as opposed to deffending yidden.what is wrong with you ? is your life so insular that you feel totally cut off from klal yisroel?i really pity you.
I tried calling both white house phone numbers listed in this article and neither is accepting any calls so it’s a Brucha Levatala to even try calling.
16
The Rosenbergs were passing secrets to the Russians at the height of the cold war, are you comparing Israel to Russia?
In any event what Olmert just did definitely closes the case for a Bush pardon. If Bush pardons him now he is a saint…..
The white House message center is closed until the next administration
They will naver free him and israel will make sure of that but we still have to try
you cannot get through to the white house using either number 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414. i was told that until president-elect obama is sworn in, the comments line is down.
The same politics that killed Yonatan Netanyahu, is now responsible for Pollards jail time,V’hamavin yovin!!!
The e-mail address is still working. Also, the 24 hour prayer hotline at “harchev peeychoh v’amalayhu”…
It’s time for everyone to decide that it is never beneficial to blame anyone. If everyone would do their best to learn the facts of the case, to talk to everyone about this, to distribute literature, write and call their spiritual leaders and public officials, and to rally in the streets, then we will be successful, and Mr. Pollard will be given his rights!
Regardless of whether he will be granted executive clemency at this time, know that our efforts will prevail.
It is important that Mr. Pollard know that we are with him and that we will find the right formula for his freedom!
Our combined efforts will win the day. Mr. Pollard will one day be free!
And you know this!
Dovid
Lets face the fact, He wont be pardoned anytime soon, Pres Bush is very carefull not to give pardon that are political hot potatoes and he wont give him one. Pres Elect Obama has enough issues to deal with.
My suggestion to Rabbi Lerner and Dov Hikind lets do something more constuctive with out time like helping ppl get jobs or doing something about the tuition crises.