What Hidden Regime Intrigue Behind Pollard’s Imprisonment?

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Commentary;

What nasty little secrets lay in the closets of Israel’s governmental and political leaders concerning their roles in Pollard’s operation and what they did or didn’t do in the Pollard affair, including possible money-trails? What major earth-quakes could result if these secrets and intrigues ever see the light of day by way of revelation by the State Comptroller, or by way of a freed Pollard himself? What heads will roll and what major changes in the governance of Israel would result from such revelations? The report below, and related reports give glimpses at possible implications as well as reiterating this blog’s point about Israel’s repeated abysmal ingratitude toward her allies as noted here and here. MB

Pollard Status Quo Comfortable for All, Haim Misgav (Ynet)

Are there those among us who fear what truths may be revealed if spy walks free?

Full Text;

Ingratitude appears to be a fundamental component in Israel’s collective character. This is true of how we behaved towards the Southern Lebanese Army and Ron Arad. This is how, nowadays, we treat Gilad Shalit. And Jonathan Pollard.

Perhaps there is no room for comparisons, after all Arad and Shalit were in uniform when they were captured, but our duty as a nation should not diminish even when those who acted on our behalf did so out of lucre – like Elhanan Tennenbaum.

Even Tennenbaum relied on the compassion of his people and assumed that, if caught, his plight would not be ignored as Pollard’s was when he came knocking on the gates of our embassy in Washington – in vain.

And so why is Jonathan Pollard still rotting away in an American prison for so many years? Is it only because Israel doesn’t want to admit he was operating on its behalf? Or does it run deeper than that? Are there aspects at play that are beyond the grasp of laymen? Was there nothing the leadership of the Jewish state could have posed as a concession in exchange for his release?

A Hug for a Betrayed Brother, by Moshe Feiglin (Makor Rishon – courtesy of IMRA)

Makor Rishon Expose: Who’s Afraid of Pollard?, by Pazeet Ravina (Makor Rishon – courtesy of IMRA)

It would appear that the facts are well known at present time. Pollard spied for Israel. The country’s political echelon in the 1980’s undoubtedly knew who was providing such invaluable information. True, when Pollard was captured only one man, Rafi Eitan, who today serves as a cabinet minister, took responsibility for what had transpired. But the truth is clear to all. Here as well as there.

Too few seek his release

The question of course, is why so few in the Jewish community are invested in the campaign to free the most veteran spy in America’s prisons. Is it true that only the Americans are wary of releasing Pollard, or are there those among us who fear the truths that may come to light?

It cannot be that after so many years he poses a potential risk to those who are currently wallowing in the mud of Iraq and Afghanistan.

When the State Comptroller ventured to investigate certain aspects of the case not long ago, the brouhaha he found himself embroiled in was nothing less than suspicious. All citizens should have asked themselves what it is exactly that ‘they,’ those who ignited the public hysteria, were afraid of.

Pollard, who will soon mark 23 years in American captivity, should be the concern of all of us – not only the hundreds of thousands who identify with the so-called ‘Orange Camp’ (primarily right-wing activists who protested against the 2005 disengagement and the uprooting of settlements).

But there is little certainty that (Foreign Affairs Minister) Tzipi Livni is up for the task. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is unlikely to go looking for enemies in these days of inquiries against him.

And Defense Minister Ehud Barak cannot be trusted. After all, he was prime minister during US President Bill Clinton’s tenure and yet all he cared about was securing the release of a thief who fled to Switzerland. On this matter, it should be noted, Barak and Clinton saw eye to eye.

That is the bottom line in essence. Too many people are comfortable with the idea of Pollard’s eternal incarceration. Both here and there.

Dr. Haim Misgav is an attorney and lecturer of law at the Netanya Academic College