Pollard: It's a miracle I am alive

Ahead of a rally to be held in his support on Thursday by the Western Wall in Jerusalem, American spy Jonathan Pollard says Israel needs to wake up 'before it is too late'

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3253967,00.html

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"American spy Jonathan Pollard on Monday sent a letter to Israeli supporters in which he urged the State of Israel to save his life, saying he is struggling in his prison cell where he is serving a life sentence for passing US military intelligence files to Israel."

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"Pollard was sentenced to life in jail in 1987 after admitting to passing thousands of secretive military documents to Israeli agents. Pollard served as a civilian analyst with the US Navy."

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"Former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu is expected to ask Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky to award Pollard the city's honorary citizenship at Thursday's rally.

"We are optimistic and believe that the Jerusalem mayor will answer the request," an aide to Rabbi Eliyahu said.

Past efforts by rabbi Eliyahu to name a street in Jerusalem after Pollard and make him an honorary citizen failed.

On Sunday, Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asking he evoke the issue of Pollard's release with President George W. Bush during his visit to Washington."

if you're a spy, you're a spy, whether you're doing it for an enemy of the U.S. or an ally.

the average Iranian.

He is right where he belongs

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"Seventy-seven members of Knesset signed a petition calling on US President George W. Bush to pardon the life-sentence of imprisoned Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard.

MK Uri Ariel, the head of the Pollard lobby, sent the letter Monday evening to officials in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's entourage, who is currently meeting American officials in Washington, so that they could pass the petition to Bush himself."


http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1148287842363&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef is one of the more colorful figures in Israeli Politics. Some article on Pollard's friend, Rabbi Yosef:

Rabbi calls for annihilation of Arabs

Ovadia Yosef: Katrina is God's punishment for disengagement

Notable quotes:

"Walking between two women is like walking between two asses."

"Anyone who thinks evil thoughts about yeshiva students and calls them parasites is a scoundrel, a heretic, and it is permissible to kill him,"

If you cross him, he may just accuse you of having sex with menstruating women or he may order your death.

Know that Rabbi Yosef is, of course, a complete lunatic and is recognized as such (at least by those few who aren't afraid of the death sentences he may hand down if you do) in Israel. However, also understand that he is the spiritual head and founger of the Shas party, which holds 10% of the 120-seat Israeli Knesset.

PB

Pollard's goose is (presumably) cooked. A few weeks ago I noticed that Pollard was...well freaking out is the best word... because Rafi Eitan, his former spy handler has been appointed a ministerial position in Olmert's new government. In this case, Pollard suspects that his old friend isn't going to do too much to get him released.

Cabinet Appointment of Rafi Eitan Forfeits My Life

Jonathan Pollard appeals Rafi Eitan ministerial appointment

Too bad his lawyer couldn't swing a better deal- his lawyer at the time was, of course, none other than US Solicitor General Theodore Olson.

PB