As Middle East diplomacy gets into high gear once again, supporters of Jonathan Pollard remember that he could - and should - be an important part of the process. About 1,000 people attended a prayer rally at the Western Wall this afternoon on behalf of Pollard, his health, and his speedy release from prison. Pollard is now in his 18th year of an American prison sentence, and the Americans are showing no signs of wanting to release him. Only once did an American President say he would do so - and that was during the Wye Plantation talks, when Bill Clinton promised Binyamin Netanyahu that Pollard's release would be part of the agreement. CIA head George Tenet's objections foiled this plan, however. Though Ariel Sharon has not put Pollard anywhere near the top of his agenda, there is hope that Pollard will again be included in any upcoming agreements.



Following today's Kotel prayer rally, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner of Beit El spoke at Jerusalem's Yeshurun Synagogue about Pollard and the struggle for his release. Jonathan Pollard's wife, Esther, answered questions afterwards, and participants were treated to a live performance of a song composed especially for Jonathan.