A "Protest March and Rally" on behalf of Jonathan Pollard will be held this evening in Jerusalem in honor of his 49th birthday and in protest of Prime Minister Sharon's "utter abandonment of an Israeli agent in peril." Marchers will gather at Independence Park at 5:30 PM opposite the American Consulate, will then march to the Knesset, passing the Prime Minister's residence along the way, and will then hold a large demonstration - joined by many others who did not take part in the march - outside the Knesset at 7:15 PM.
Among the participants will be Tourism Minister Benny Elon, who said that he raised the issue of Pollard "passionately and vigorously" during the recent Cabinet meeting. "While the United States pressures us to release Palestinian prisoners," Elon said, "it is imperative that Prime Minister Sharon makes our feelings about the importance of Jonathan Pollard very clear: He must go free." It was reported that the Prime Minister did not respond to Elon's call.
Pollard was granted honorary citizenship of the Gaza Coast Regional Council in a special ceremony last night. His wife Esther received the certificate on his behalf.
The "Justice for Jonathan Pollard" organization noted that Arutz-7 recently misreported some background information on the Pollard case. In fact, the typical or average sentence in the U.S. for spying for an ally is 2-4 years, while most of those who spied for enemies of the U.S., such as the Soviet Union, received sentences similar to that which Pollard received - or even lighter sentences. For instance, Richard Miller was convicted of conspiring with Soviet intelligence officers, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, and is today a free man. Michael Walker was convicted of selling information to Russia, was sentenced to 25 years, and is today free.
Among the participants will be Tourism Minister Benny Elon, who said that he raised the issue of Pollard "passionately and vigorously" during the recent Cabinet meeting. "While the United States pressures us to release Palestinian prisoners," Elon said, "it is imperative that Prime Minister Sharon makes our feelings about the importance of Jonathan Pollard very clear: He must go free." It was reported that the Prime Minister did not respond to Elon's call.
Pollard was granted honorary citizenship of the Gaza Coast Regional Council in a special ceremony last night. His wife Esther received the certificate on his behalf.
The "Justice for Jonathan Pollard" organization noted that Arutz-7 recently misreported some background information on the Pollard case. In fact, the typical or average sentence in the U.S. for spying for an ally is 2-4 years, while most of those who spied for enemies of the U.S., such as the Soviet Union, received sentences similar to that which Pollard received - or even lighter sentences. For instance, Richard Miller was convicted of conspiring with Soviet intelligence officers, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, and is today a free man. Michael Walker was convicted of selling information to Russia, was sentenced to 25 years, and is today free.