Netanyahu Seeks Pardon for Pollard
The Washington Times reports:
The White House is reviewing a new pardon request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the case of former Navyintelligence analyst Jonathan Jay Pollard, who is serving a life sentence for spying for Israel.
The request came in a letter to President Obama from Mr. Netanyahu, who read it aloud during a session of the Israeli parliament on Tuesday, noting that the case "unites us all."
"We have received the letter and will review it," White Housespokesman Thomas Vietor said, declining further comment.
In the past when Israel requested a pardon for Pollard, a U.S. citizen who was convicted of espionage in 1986, U.S. intelligencecommunity leaders privately opposed several clemency appeals.
Last month, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said he was unaware of discussions between the president and Mr. Netanyahuon the issue and noted that he was "not aware that that's something that the president is looking at doing."
Joseph DiGenova, the former U.S. attorney who prosecuted the case, said Tuesday that Pollard was a spy who was paid and who tried to entice others to join his operation.
Mr. DiGenova said Pollard received about $500,000 a year plus expenses for giving intelligence documents to Israeli agents.
