Washington – Israeli President Shimon Peres met with US President Barack Obama in the oval office on Tuesday for nearly an hour over a “working lunch.”
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Peres said he spoke to Obama about Jonathan Pollard and kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit. When asked what Obama’s reaction was, Peres said “he listened.”
Obama told reporters the two had an extensive discussion about unrest sweeping the Middle East and share a belief that it represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Obama said it’s “more urgent than ever that we try to seize the opportunity to create a peaceful solution” between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Peace talks have largely stalled in part because Palestinians refuse to negotiate unless Israel stops constructing housing in territory Palestinians claim for a future state. Ahead of Peres’ visit, Jerusalem officials gave approval for new development in a contested part of the city.
With all the critically important issues facing the U.S. relationship with EY, why do they keep on pushing Pollard’s release? Given the current political situation in the U.S., the more they publicly pressure Obama, the less likely he will ever see the outside of a jail cell. Focus on the really important issues such as Iran’s nuclear threat etc. and don’t create a sideshow over Pollard.
Oy veh. Gornish mit gornish.
Obama is getting pressure from 360 degrees to finally release Pollard.
Keep up the heat!
Obama made peace in the middle east a cornerstone. Israel is holding back, and using the Pollard card as an option for Obama to save face. Israel will make concessions for Pollard, allowing the appearance of peace moving forward. Now more than ever is the time to talk about Pollard.
To #3- I agree with you. We’ve heard #1 ’s type of comment before (i.e “there are more pressing problems”). It is nothing more than a stalling tactic. Governments exchange spies all the time. In 1962, the USA exchanged a convicted Russian spy for Gary Frances Powers, whose U-2 was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960.
Obama should stop talking and pertenting he is listening a start doing something
Pollard will be a reelection move. Wait and see.
If Oblobama feels weak with the jewish votes he will release him. Its good to save up some credits. If he does it now people will forget by november
Just shows how clueless and weak Natanyahu’s cabinet is. He is becoming ever more isolated from the international community; the Palestinians are bypassing him through direct UN action that will declare a state through “Uniting For Peace” doctrine in the General Assembly this year; he is expanding settlements and openly snubs everyone on the issue, but yet he is either stupid or has hutzpa with the Pollard demands. Obama will tie Pollard directly to settlement expansion and demand Israel to stop building to get Pollard back. Otherwise, why would Obama release a traitor, spy for a country that is not giving him any score points on peace deals. No U.S. president would do it under such circumstances.
Gilad Shalit!!!
When is the american frum community going to realize Pollard is NEVER getting out. Clinton, Bush and now Obama, it ain’t going to happen! meanwhile the real story should be Gilad Shalit nobody including the Red Cross has ever even seen him. Use your energy to get him out before this Pesach!
It bothers me greatly that W, having been such a great supporter of Israel, didn’t release Pollard. I hope that the current momentum will impel O to do the right thing, finally.
im curious to see if the jewish attitude toward obama would change if he actually did release pollard or would they just say ‘its about time’ or ‘he was under pressure’
obama got to be the weakess prez ever. The problems he does not tackle and the problems he started [Eqypt] shows he is just a talker