"It has to be a daily thing - we can't carry on with just a periodic demonstration every month or so." So said Eli Joseph today, referring to the grassroots campaign to obtain freedom for Jonathan Pollard. Joseph, who once held a 150-day hunger strike for Pollard and has long been involved in efforts to free him from U.S. prison, said today that he is planning to begin another hunger strike this evening, "precisely while Sharon meets with Bush in Washington."
Another demonstration was held on Pollard's behalf yesterday - this time in Tel Aviv, outside the U.S. Embassy. Close to 200 young people stood outside the building for two hours, holding signs addressed to the Americans reading, "Free Pollard Now!" and "The Knesset demands freedom for Pollard!" The demonstrators also called on Prime Minister Sharon to demand Pollard's release during his current visit to the U.S.
Pollard, who was granted Israeli citizenship several years ago, is now into the 19th year of a prison sentence after he was found guilty of spying for an American ally, Israel.
Among those in attendance yesterday were former MK Michael Kleiner, Eli Joseph, and well-known educator Rabbi Benny Eisner, as well as people from the Tel Aviv area, Jerusalem, Nof Ayalon, Beit El, Atlit and Maaleh Adumim. One demonstrator said, "It's time for all of Israel's youth to wake up and demand that this courageous man be allowed to return home."
Eli Joseph told Arutz-7's Yosef Meiri today that as part of the intensified campaign, he was on his way to block Tourism Minister Benny Elon's car. When asked what Elon has to do with anything, Joseph responded, "Prime Minister Sharon was to have held a meeting next week with Minister Elon and others [such as Ministers Eitam and Naveh] regarding Pollard, but for the third time, Sharon canceled it - and Elon barely protested! The MKs and ministers who care about Pollard, such as Elon, have to do so much more actively - and we have to remind them! This is ridiculous already! It's as if they're saying, 'OK, so he'll sit in prison a few more months - not so terrible.' This cannot continue!"
Prime Minister Sharon can be faxed on this matter at +972-2-651-2631.
Another demonstration was held on Pollard's behalf yesterday - this time in Tel Aviv, outside the U.S. Embassy. Close to 200 young people stood outside the building for two hours, holding signs addressed to the Americans reading, "Free Pollard Now!" and "The Knesset demands freedom for Pollard!" The demonstrators also called on Prime Minister Sharon to demand Pollard's release during his current visit to the U.S.
Pollard, who was granted Israeli citizenship several years ago, is now into the 19th year of a prison sentence after he was found guilty of spying for an American ally, Israel.
Among those in attendance yesterday were former MK Michael Kleiner, Eli Joseph, and well-known educator Rabbi Benny Eisner, as well as people from the Tel Aviv area, Jerusalem, Nof Ayalon, Beit El, Atlit and Maaleh Adumim. One demonstrator said, "It's time for all of Israel's youth to wake up and demand that this courageous man be allowed to return home."
Eli Joseph told Arutz-7's Yosef Meiri today that as part of the intensified campaign, he was on his way to block Tourism Minister Benny Elon's car. When asked what Elon has to do with anything, Joseph responded, "Prime Minister Sharon was to have held a meeting next week with Minister Elon and others [such as Ministers Eitam and Naveh] regarding Pollard, but for the third time, Sharon canceled it - and Elon barely protested! The MKs and ministers who care about Pollard, such as Elon, have to do so much more actively - and we have to remind them! This is ridiculous already! It's as if they're saying, 'OK, so he'll sit in prison a few more months - not so terrible.' This cannot continue!"
Prime Minister Sharon can be faxed on this matter at +972-2-651-2631.