The Kadima party led Knesset opposition on Wednesday to help defeat on first reading a bill that was to establish a plan to win the release of Jonathan Pollard, who has served 22 years in an American prison for passing on to Israel classified information. He was sentenced to a life term in jail although the usual maximum punishment for the offense is four years in prison.

The bill, which was defeated by a 43-32 vote, called for the government to appoint a special minister to work for Pollard's release and for a public relations campaign in the United States. "Olmert is unable to do what it takes and issue a strong request" to free Pollard, said Likud Knesset Member Gilad Erdan, who sponsored the bill.