American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flatly rejected an offer by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to release convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti in return for Jonathan Pollard, according to the Hebrew daily Ma'ariv. Pollard is serving a life term in the United States for passing classified information to Israel.

The former Prime Minister reportedly made the offer through Danny Ayalon, who was serving as Israel's Ambassador to Washington prior to the expulsion of Jews from the Gaza and northern Samarian regions. Secretary Rice reportedly told Ayalon, "Pollard’s release is out of the question. Danny, I would advise you not to pursue this any further. Pollard betrayed his country and that issue is taboo in Washington."

Pollard has said he would not agree to be released in return for the release of Arab terrorists.