U.S. Attorney-General John Ashcroft has refused a request by his Israel counterpart, Justice Minister Yosef (Tommy) Lapid of Shinui, to pardon Jonathan Pollard. The two officials met in Washington at the end of the week. Esther Pollard, Jonathan's wife, has often blamed both the Israeli government and American-Jewish leaders for not working effectively to secure her husband's release. She recently told Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA, "American Jewish leaders [are working] hand-in-glove with the Israeli Government on the issue of Jonathan Pollard - publicly posturing for their home constituency, while privately sabotaging and undermining efforts on Capitol Hill and in the White House for Jonathan's release."