Recently, we read one of the most dramatic and moving portions of the Bible, describing how, after 22 years, Jacob is reunited with his beloved son Joseph. Before this reunification, Joseph had revealed to his brothers who he was. In Genesis, Chapter 45, Joseph tells them that he is their brother "whom you (plural) have sold into slavery into Egypt", saying in effect that all of you are responsible for selling me into slavery. Rabbi Avraham Blass, in accord with the Jerusalem Talmud, explains that while it is true that the actual sale of Joseph to Egypt was suggested only by Judah, the other brothers did not protest or try to prevent it and therefore, the responsibility for this sale was on each and every one of Joseph's brothers.
For the past eighteen years, Jonathan Pollard has been in prison in the United States, serving a life sentence. Despite widespread misconceptions, Pollard was never indicted for harming the United States, nor for compromising codes, agents, or war plans. Nor was he ever accused or convicted of treason. Jonathan Pollard was indicted on only one charge: passing classified information to an ally ?? Israel. The normal sentence for this offense is 2-4 years. Perhaps to appease Saudi Arabia and the other Arab states, Jonathan Pollard received a life sentence - the only person to have received such a sentence for spying for an ally. Judge Steven Williams of the Appellate Court, in a dissenting opinion, had described the Pollard case as a "fundamental miscarriage of justice."
Certain disturbing questions require an answer. The photos that Jonathan Pollard turned over to the Israelis were of a number of Iraqi chemical weapons manufacturing plants, which the U.S. Government at the time did not want to admit existed. Why? The fact is that the U.S. had tacitly condoned the creation of an Iraqi chemical weapons manufacturing capability. The Wall Street Journal, on February 15, 1991, pointed out that the Americans may have brought about the very reason for the war for which the world is now bracing. Pollard could confirm these facts by way of the disclosures for which he was convicted.
In a recent New Yorker magazine article ("Annals of Government - In the Loop: Bush's Secret Mission"), a clear picture is provided of the direct involvement of the U.S. in arming Iraq. That article shows how the U.S. provided Saddam Hussein with technology, weapons, intelligence and funding, enabling Iraq to amass the nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction that now threaten the world. As long as the U.S. does not own up to its responsibility in its role in arming Iraq, Jonathan Pollard will continue to be buried alive in prison by successive American administrations, who fear exposure and embarrassment. The real wrongdoers are those in the U.S. State Department who deliberately (against prior U.S. commitments) withheld the information that Jonathan Pollard disclosed to Israel, which caused him to be convicted. This information included Iraqi, Syrian, Libyan and Iranian nuclear biological and chemical warfare capabilities, which we are so concerned about today.
Many people do not know the actual facts about Jonathan Pollard. All kinds of lies have been spread, in effect demonizing him. These lies have caused Jewish leaders and organizations not to get themselves involved in actually demanding the release of Jonathan Pollard. Women in Green urge everyone to read the article by Sara Levinsky-Rigler, "The Spy Locked into the Cold". This article will bring you the complete facts about the Jonathan Pollard matter and about his failing health.
Just as in the above mentioned weekly Biblical portion, the responsibility for Jonathan Pollard's release is upon each and every one of us. There is no greater obligation in Jewish law than to release a prisoner unfairly being held. United States information given to its ally Israel, made it possible for Israel to destroy Iraqi nuclear capability at the time. Now, after Sept. 11, all of us realize the enormous contribution Israel made by this action. Write, fax, e-mail or phone Prime Minister Sharon and President Bush to secure the immediate release of Jonathan Pollard from prison. Jonathan is an Israeli agent in peril. Israel has a legal and moral obligation to secure his release. To hold him captive a day longer is an injustice that can no longer be tolerated.
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Ruth and Nadia Matar are Co-Chairwomen of the grass-roots activist organization Women for Israel's Tomorrow (Women in Green). Ruth Matar hosts the Women in Green radio program on Arutz Sheva - Israel National Radio, which can be heard on demand at IsraelNationalNews.com.
For the past eighteen years, Jonathan Pollard has been in prison in the United States, serving a life sentence. Despite widespread misconceptions, Pollard was never indicted for harming the United States, nor for compromising codes, agents, or war plans. Nor was he ever accused or convicted of treason. Jonathan Pollard was indicted on only one charge: passing classified information to an ally ?? Israel. The normal sentence for this offense is 2-4 years. Perhaps to appease Saudi Arabia and the other Arab states, Jonathan Pollard received a life sentence - the only person to have received such a sentence for spying for an ally. Judge Steven Williams of the Appellate Court, in a dissenting opinion, had described the Pollard case as a "fundamental miscarriage of justice."
Certain disturbing questions require an answer. The photos that Jonathan Pollard turned over to the Israelis were of a number of Iraqi chemical weapons manufacturing plants, which the U.S. Government at the time did not want to admit existed. Why? The fact is that the U.S. had tacitly condoned the creation of an Iraqi chemical weapons manufacturing capability. The Wall Street Journal, on February 15, 1991, pointed out that the Americans may have brought about the very reason for the war for which the world is now bracing. Pollard could confirm these facts by way of the disclosures for which he was convicted.
In a recent New Yorker magazine article ("Annals of Government - In the Loop: Bush's Secret Mission"), a clear picture is provided of the direct involvement of the U.S. in arming Iraq. That article shows how the U.S. provided Saddam Hussein with technology, weapons, intelligence and funding, enabling Iraq to amass the nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction that now threaten the world. As long as the U.S. does not own up to its responsibility in its role in arming Iraq, Jonathan Pollard will continue to be buried alive in prison by successive American administrations, who fear exposure and embarrassment. The real wrongdoers are those in the U.S. State Department who deliberately (against prior U.S. commitments) withheld the information that Jonathan Pollard disclosed to Israel, which caused him to be convicted. This information included Iraqi, Syrian, Libyan and Iranian nuclear biological and chemical warfare capabilities, which we are so concerned about today.
Many people do not know the actual facts about Jonathan Pollard. All kinds of lies have been spread, in effect demonizing him. These lies have caused Jewish leaders and organizations not to get themselves involved in actually demanding the release of Jonathan Pollard. Women in Green urge everyone to read the article by Sara Levinsky-Rigler, "The Spy Locked into the Cold". This article will bring you the complete facts about the Jonathan Pollard matter and about his failing health.
Just as in the above mentioned weekly Biblical portion, the responsibility for Jonathan Pollard's release is upon each and every one of us. There is no greater obligation in Jewish law than to release a prisoner unfairly being held. United States information given to its ally Israel, made it possible for Israel to destroy Iraqi nuclear capability at the time. Now, after Sept. 11, all of us realize the enormous contribution Israel made by this action. Write, fax, e-mail or phone Prime Minister Sharon and President Bush to secure the immediate release of Jonathan Pollard from prison. Jonathan is an Israeli agent in peril. Israel has a legal and moral obligation to secure his release. To hold him captive a day longer is an injustice that can no longer be tolerated.
--------------------------------------------------------
Ruth and Nadia Matar are Co-Chairwomen of the grass-roots activist organization Women for Israel's Tomorrow (Women in Green). Ruth Matar hosts the Women in Green radio program on Arutz Sheva - Israel National Radio, which can be heard on demand at IsraelNationalNews.com.