Why it took 30 years for Pollard to go free [Part 2]

This is Part II of a special report published in The Jewish Star print edition on Aug. 7. Click here to link for Part I of this special report.

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In 2002, reporter Edwin Black was the first journalist to visit Jonathan Pollard in prison; he reviewed documents relating to the case and extensively interviewed Pollard’s attorneys as well as then-former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger, and many other key figures.

Thirteen years later, as the U.S. prepares to release Pollard from prison and into a five-year probation, many people are puzzled by why Pollard was imprisoned for 30 years — three times longer than far more egregious offenders.

The Jewish Star is reprinting key parts of Black’s original 2002 article. In it, Black resolves some of the questions puzzling those who have long advocated for Pollard’s release.

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6. Combative post-sentencing campaign to free Pollard

Added to Pollard's woes has been his conduct while seeking clemency. Every attempt to gain presidential clemency, speakheaded by Israeli prime ministers and American Jewish leadership has been thwarted. Why?

The same inexplicable behavior streak that caused him to alienate his prosecutors, judge and defense counsel, have survived during Pollard’s 17 years of incarceration. Although, most convicts have learned to conduct themselves passively and speak in a fashion that will play to parole boards, Pollard has gone on the offensive. Pollard’s voluminous handwritten letters to supporters insult the integrity of prosecutor diGenova, and bitterly challenge the commitment of American Jewish and Israeli leaders petitioning for his release. For example, on May 24, 2001, Pollard wrote an open letter to Israeli president Moshe Katsav about a meeting with President George Bush. “Even if you were to bring up the issue of my release with Bush yourself, as you claim, your past record on my case leaves no room for doubt that you would not do so in a serious or effective manner. Rather just so that you can return to Israel and claim that you brought it up but were unsuccessful.”