Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will depart this morning for his first trip to Washington in his new capacity as the Israeli premier. All signs are that the visit will be a positive one, and that Sharon and President Bush see eye-to-eye on several critical issues concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Sharon will be replaced during his absence by Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres.
Despite the above, and despite Sharon\'s statement to CNN last week that he would ask for Jonathan Pollard\'s release from American prison during his talks with Bush, hints have been received that Sharon may not raise the issue after all. Sharon\'s aide Zalman Shoval dodged the question today on a radio interview, and there have been reports that Sharon \"has been counseled not to raise the matter.\" Labor MK Ofir Pines and Likud MK Moshe Arens both called upon Sharon today to bring up the matter. Pines said, “Pollard continues to pay a high price for helping Israel,” and that Israel must do its utmost to obtain his release. Former Likud Defense Minister Arens said that issues that are important to the State of Israel should be raised at the meeting with President Bush even if they are \"unpleasant.\"
Despite the above, and despite Sharon\'s statement to CNN last week that he would ask for Jonathan Pollard\'s release from American prison during his talks with Bush, hints have been received that Sharon may not raise the issue after all. Sharon\'s aide Zalman Shoval dodged the question today on a radio interview, and there have been reports that Sharon \"has been counseled not to raise the matter.\" Labor MK Ofir Pines and Likud MK Moshe Arens both called upon Sharon today to bring up the matter. Pines said, “Pollard continues to pay a high price for helping Israel,” and that Israel must do its utmost to obtain his release. Former Likud Defense Minister Arens said that issues that are important to the State of Israel should be raised at the meeting with President Bush even if they are \"unpleasant.\"