The massive vigil for Jonathan Pollard in Jeruslem is into its third day, under the Bridge of Strings near the city's main western entrance. Many thousands of people have taken, and are taking, part for varying periods of time – "the crowd ebbed and flowed and continuously renewed itself," in the words of one organizer – and many public figures have shown up to register their solidarity as well.
The Jerusalem Municipality chipped in to the efforts by projecting a giant “Free Jonathan Pollard” message onto the walls of Old Jerusalem on Tuesday night. (photo below by Hillel Maeir)
The vigil is being held to commemorate Pollard’s 9,000th day in prison in the United States. He was sentenced to life in prison after having been convicted of one count of having passed classified information to Israel. The life sentence was handed down despite his having signed a plea bargain agreement and despite the median sentence of 2-4 years for this crime.
No politicians have arrived as of yet today, but rabbis who are expected to arrive this afternoon include former IDF Chief Rabbi Avi Ronsky, Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav Dean Rabbi Yaakov Shapira who visited Pollard in prison on a trip to the USA, and Machon Meir founder Rabbi Dov Begun. Busloads of youths – and their parents as well, in some cases – have arrived at various times
Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon of the Likud arrived at the site yesterday, and called upon the Americans to release Pollard at once.
Pollard’s wife Esther reported being "deeply touched" after greeting vigil participants who came from as far away as Kiryat Shmonah in the north and Sderot in the south. At least one large family from Arad, in the eastern Negev, also arrived to show solidarity with the Pollards on Wednesday.
Activities at the vigil have included the recital of Psalms, the construction of a temporary “portable prison cell,” photographs of participants holding Free Pollard signs to be sent to Pollard, and postcard-writing to him. Attendees are also given the opportunity to sign up for special activities and programs of the The Committee to Bring Jonathan Pollard Home.
Netanyahu's Silence
Pollard supporters note with sorrow that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu did not even raise the issue during his visit to Washington last week. It was Netanyahu who has come the closest to obtaining Pollard’s release over ten years ago at the Wye Plantation talks, when then-U.S. President Bill Clinton reneged on his promise and kept Pollard in jail.
Netanyahu told his Cabinet this week that he had discussed with Obama the Israel-PA diplomatic process, nuclear proliferation treaty, the dangers of a nuclear Iran – and Gilad Shalit. “I asked the President to use his full strength and influence,” Netanyahu said, “to help us in achieving Gilad's release after four years of captivity, in which he has been denied any Red Cross visits... Immediately upon my return to Israel, my wife and I met with Aviva and Noam Shalit. I updated them on my talks on Gilad's release and the efforts to bring this about.” He did not similarly contact Esther Pollard upon his return to Israel.
Esther Pollard Writes
“The continued incarceration of Jonathan Pollard, now in his 25th year of a life sentence with no end in sight, is America's badge of shame and Israel's dishonor,” Esther Pollard wrote recently.
She has also written: “The Pollard case is not only about Jonathan Pollard. It is about America's real attitude towards Jews and its relationship with Israel. It is also about whether or not the nation which is so devoted to bringing freedom to other parts of the world is capable of freeing itself. Government lies and judicial collusion are keeping Jonathan Pollard in prison. It is time for them to stop. As long as Jonathan Pollard remains in prison, truth and justice in America are in prison too.”