U.S. President George Bush, meeting with 15 rabbis in the White House yesterday, said he would look into the plight of Jonathan Pollard, but gave no hint as to whether he would pardon him. Pollard, a former civilian analyst for U.S. Navy intelligence, is completing his 18th year of a life sentence for the crime of "passing classified information to a U.S. ally." Pollard supporters in Israel emphasize that his sentence is totally out of proportion compared with the sentences meted out to others who were convicted on the same charge.
JTA reports that President Bush also told the American rabbis that a simple formula exists for judging the new PA leadership. He explained that the United States would deal with new PA leaders only if they dismantle terrorist groups and fight terrorism. Rabbi Steven Pruzansky of Teaneck, New Jersey, said that Bush became emotional twice during the hour-long meeting: once while discussing his recent trip to the site of the Auschwitz death camp, and once when he acknowledged that people pray for him.
JTA reports that President Bush also told the American rabbis that a simple formula exists for judging the new PA leadership. He explained that the United States would deal with new PA leaders only if they dismantle terrorist groups and fight terrorism. Rabbi Steven Pruzansky of Teaneck, New Jersey, said that Bush became emotional twice during the hour-long meeting: once while discussing his recent trip to the site of the Auschwitz death camp, and once when he acknowledged that people pray for him.