Convicted spy Pollard is released from prison after 30 years

[rooster59]

Convicted spy Pollard is released from prison after 30 years

ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press


WASHINGTON (AP) — Convicted spy Jonathan Pollard was released from prison early Friday, culminating an extraordinary espionage case that complicated American-Israeli relations for 30 years and became a periodic bargaining chip between two allies.

Within hours of his release, Pollard's attorneys began a court challenge to terms of his parole that they called "onerous and oppressive," including requiring him to wear an electronic GPS ankle bracelet and the monitoring of any computer that Pollard may use either personally or at a job.

Pollard was driven away from the federal prison at Butner, North Carolina, before dawn in heavy fog.

Video later showed Pollard walking into a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Friday morning with his wife, Esther, to check in at a probation office.

"The people of Israel welcome the release of Jonathan Pollard," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. "As someone who raised Jonathan's case for years with successive American presidents, I had long hoped this day would come."

Pollard's release came nearly 30 years to the day after his arrest for providing large amounts of classified U.S. government information to Israel.

"I have waited for this day for 30 long years, unbelievable," Anne, his ex-wife, told Israel's Army Radio. "It's an amazing moment."

Pollard had been granted parole this summer from a life sentence imposed in 1987. His lawyers said in a court filing that he had been given a job in the finance department of an investment firm in New York City. They didn't disclose the name of the company.

The terms of his parole require him to remain in the United States for at least five years, though supporters — including Netanyahu and some members of Congress — are seeking permission for him to move to Israel immediately.

In their petition to a court for an easing of his parole restrictions, Pollard's lawyers complained that wearing a GPS monitor would be harmful to his health because he has severe diabetes and suffers chronic swelling in his legs and ankles. They said the computer monitoring was unnecessary because Pollard was no longer in possession of any classified information.

His release caps one of the most high-profile spy sagas in modern American history, a case that over the years sharply divided public opinion and became a diplomatic sticking point. Supporters have long maintained that he was punished excessively for actions taken on behalf of an American ally while critics, including government officials, derided him as a traitor who sold out his country.

"I don't think there's any doubt that the crime merited a life sentence, given the amount of damage that Mr. Pollard did to the United States government," said Joseph diGenova, who prosecuted the case as U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. "I would have been perfectly pleased if he had spent the rest of his life in jail."

Seymour Reich, a former president of B'nai Brith International who visited Pollard twice in prison, said that while he believed Pollard broke the law and deserved to be punished, his sentence was overly harsh. Like other supporters, he believes Pollard was "double-crossed" into thinking he'd be afforded leniency in exchange for a guilty plea.

"I hope that he settles down and lives the remaining years as best as he can," Reich said.

Pollard, a former Navy intelligence analyst, was arrested Nov. 21, 1985, after trying unsuccessfully to gain asylum at the Israeli Embassy in Washington. He had earlier drawn the suspicion of a supervisor for handling large amounts of classified materials unrelated to his official duties.

U.S. officials have said Pollard, over a series of months and for a salary, provided intelligence summaries and huge quantities of classified documents on the capabilities and programs of Israel's enemies. He pleaded guilty in 1986 to conspiracy to commit espionage and was given a life sentence a year later.

Although he has said his guilty plea was coerced, he has also expressed regret, telling The Associated Press in a 1998 interview that he did not consider himself a hero.

"There is nothing good that came as a result of my actions," he said. "I tried to serve two countries at the same time. That does not work."

Under sentencing rules in place at the time of his crime, he became presumptively eligible for parole in November — 30 years after his arrest. The Justice Department agreed not to oppose parole at a July hearing that took into account his behavior in prison and likelihood to commit future crimes.

The parole decision was applauded in Israel, which, after initially claiming that he was part of a rogue operation, acknowledged him in the 1990s as an agent and granted him citizenship.

Pollard's lawyers also have sought permission for him to travel immediately to Israel, and two Democratic members of Congress — Eliot Engel and Jerrold Nadler, both of New York — have called on the Justice Department to grant the request so that Pollard can live with his family and "resume his life there." The congressmen say Pollard accepts that such a move may bar him from ever re-entering the United States.

The White House has said that it has no intention of altering the conditions of Pollard's parole.

Last year, the U.S. dangled the prospect of freeing Pollard early as part of a package of incentives to keep Israel at the negotiating table during talks with the Palestinians. But the talks fell apart, and Pollard remained in prison.
___
Associated Press writers Ian Deitch in Jerusalem and David B. Caruso in New York contributed to this report.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-11-20

[Happy Grumpy]

Bet he looks a bit different now.

31 to 61 in federal prison.

Screw that.

[ezzra]

Happy Grumpy, on 20 Nov 2015 - 23:32, said:

Bet he looks a bit different now.

31 to 61 in federal prison.

Screw that.

By all accounts, this was a way disproportionate punishment... it was Joe Biden who said the releasing Pollard sooner will be ' over his dead body ' while Obama at one stage was considering pardoning him..

[dexterm]

Pollard admitted he did it for money. Som nam na for treacherously spying on your own country.

"After he was questioned by the FBI, Mr Pollard and his then-wife, Anne, sought asylum at the Israeli embassy in Washington but were turned away.

Israel initially denied Mr Pollard had spied for them, insisting he had worked with "rogue" officials,

But in 1995, Israel granted him citizenship, and two years later, they admitted he was their agent."

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34876790

Sounds to me like Pollard picked the wrong spymasters as his friends, and the USA picked the wrong closest ally.

It's a pity the USA did not use their asset Pollard as a bargaining chip to put more pressure on Israel to come to its senses.

Edited November 21, 2015 by dexterm

[gchurch259]

I have not even thought about this case until now. Help me out here, those who know, did any US Citizen die or get injured because of the release of classified information. Further, what would you hide from the most trusted ally ?

[Seastallion]

I have not even thought about this case until now. Help me out here, those who know, did any US Citizen die or get injured because of the release of classified information. Further, what would you hide from the most trusted ally ?

Most trusted ally? If Israel is the most trusted ally of America, then America is foolish.

Giving state secrets to anyone is treasonous.

[gchurch259]

Thanks for your replies !

[Thorgal]

Thanks for your replies !

Jonathan Pollard early release was also used by Netanyahu to sign the Wye River agreement. Which was off topic.

Bill Clinton didn't accept knowing that his CIA director Tenet would resign if he released the spy.

Israel has no extradition laws to foreign nations. Once the criminals are within sovereignty they gain local amnesty, whatever the crime.

If Pollard was in Israel before conviction, he would have been declared innocent...

Edited November 21, 2015 by Thorgal

[Seastallion]

Thanks for your replies !

Jonathan Pollard early release was also used by Netanyahu to sign the Wye River agreement. Which was off topic.

Bill Clinton didn't accept knowing that his CIA director Tenet would resign if he released the spy.

Israel has no extradition laws to foreign nations. Once the criminals are within sovereignty they gain local amnesty, whatever the crime.

If Pollard was in Israel before conviction, he would have been declared innocent...

Yet, when an Israeli blows the whistle on Israeli secrets, he's treated like scum. Cf Vanunu.

[DeaconJohn]

Thanks for your replies !

Now you know.

[up-country_sinclair]

Pollard admitted he did it for money.

Don't believe that BS for a second.

He betrayed America for Israel.

Like all Israeli Firsters, he is beneath contempt.

[bdenner]

Bet he looks a bit different now.

31 to 61 in federal prison.

Screw that.

Not being American and not knowing the case the only comment I can make is he appeared to be fit and well, he was fairly upbeat and optimistic about his future in a CNN interview just after his release.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Looks like he was well fed in jail.

[connda]

So the double agent is now free. Too bad. Now he can write a book and continue his espionage work during book tours.

Edited November 21, 2015 by connda

[Linky]

So being made to stay in the US is considered a form of punishment now. ?

[wwest5829]

Pollard admitted he did it for money.

Don't believe that BS for a second.

He betrayed America for Israel.

Like all Israeli Firsters, he is beneath contempt.

I see no inconsistency. Yes, he did it for Israel. Yes, he accepted money for the acts. He was granted

Israeli citizenship. Deport him as Persona non Grata and strip him of American citizenship. I believe this would forbid any return to U.S. territory.

[Credo]

Pollard is natural born US citizen. He was born in Texas. It is not a simple matter to strip him of his US citizenship.

He should not be deported or allowed to leave the US as long as he is serving his sentence, whether than is in jail or on probation. If he violates the terms of his probation, he can be returned to jail.

He is not out of the judicial system yet.

[Morch]

Pollard admitted he did it for money. Som nam na for treacherously spying on your own country.

"After he was questioned by the FBI, Mr Pollard and his then-wife, Anne, sought asylum at the Israeli embassy in Washington but were turned away.

Israel initially denied Mr Pollard had spied for them, insisting he had worked with "rogue" officials,

But in 1995, Israel granted him citizenship, and two years later, they admitted he was their agent."

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34876790

Sounds to me like Pollard picked the wrong spymasters as his friends, and the USA picked the wrong closest ally.

It's a pity the USA did not use their asset Pollard as a bargaining chip to put more pressure on Israel to come to its senses.

Israel is not the USA's closest ally, except in your post and those picking it up later on. Same goes for "most trusted". The UK would probably top the list in those terms, followed by the rest of the Five Eyes. On the other hand, the USA is clearly Israel's closest and most trusted ally, hence the stupidity of the action.

Other than reaffirming your obsession with bashing Israel over its conflict with the Palestinians, would you really advocate the USA releasing a traitor in order to further possible political aims in the Middle East? What happened to all them principals, higher moral grounds and ideals often proclaimed?

[OMGImInPattaya]

Pollard is natural born US citizen. He was born in Texas. It is not a simple matter to strip him of his US citizenship.

He should not be deported or allowed to leave the US as long as he is serving his sentence, whether than is in jail or on probation. If he violates the terms of his probation, he can be returned to jail.

He is not out of the judicial system yet.

And already trying to get special treatment while on parole...seeking to have his ancle monitoring bracelet removed and his travel restrictions lifted.

[Morch]

I have not even thought about this case until now. Help me out here, those who know, did any US Citizen die or get injured because of the release of classified information. Further, what would you hide from the most trusted ally ?

Countries being allies, however close, does not usually imply full disclosure of all information gathered and all technologies possessed. For example, on top of the usual USA classification system, there are further designated caveats, such as NOFORN (meaning clearance forbidden for non-US citizens).

There is no direct evidence, as far as I'm aware, that Pollard's betrayal resulted in US citizens coming in harm's way. Under the plea agreement, Pollard was forbidden from disclosing any details regrading the information transferred. He broke this condition on at least one occasion, giving an interview prior to sentencing. The USA government submitted a somewhat irregularly classified report to the court (read only by the judge, not Pollard's lawyers), which supposedly detailed the damage done. Other than that, just bits and pieces were exposed over the years. Doesn't make Pollard's actions less of a betrayal, though.

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.

[Morch]

Jonathan Pollard early release was also used by Netanyahu to sign the Wye River agreement. Which was off topic.

Bill Clinton didn't accept knowing that his CIA director Tenet would resign if he released the spy.

Israel has no extradition laws to foreign nations. Once the criminals are within sovereignty they gain local amnesty, whatever the crime.

If Pollard was in Israel before conviction, he would have been declared innocent...

Another day, another fairy tale....

http://blogs.loc.gov/law/2014/03/the-sheinbein-saga-and-the-evolution-of-israels-extradition-law/

http://www.coe.int/t/DGHL/STANDARDSETTING/PC-OC/PCOC_documents/PC-OC%20INF%20revised%20documents/Israel%20INF4.pdf (page 13)

And for those less interested in legal mumbo jumbo:

Court upholds US extradition request for Israelis

Defendants allegedly defrauded elderly Americans in fake lottery scams; four others were extradited in January.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday to uphold a lower court ruling granting a US request to extradite two Israeli citizens charged in the US in connection with a fraudulent multimillion dollar lottery telemarketing scheme.

http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Court-upholds-US-extradition-request-for-Israelis

[Morch]

Yet, when an Israeli blows the whistle on Israeli secrets, he's treated like scum. Cf Vanunu.

From an Israeli point of view his is a traitor. Why should they treat him as anything but?

I would say Snowden's case is similar, except that Snowden's betrayal held some value for the US public, with regard to certain revelations.

[Morch]

Pollard admitted he did it for money.

Don't believe that BS for a second.

He betrayed America for Israel.

Like all Israeli Firsters, he is beneath contempt.

Not what the prosecution claimed at the trial, and counterfactual to both payments made and other attempts to sell classified information to other countries.

[Morch]

So the double agent is now free. Too bad. Now he can write a book and continue his espionage work during book tours.

Double agent how? That would have been the case if the USA turned him over and made him spy on Israel.

The conditions of his release and parole forbid him from discussing details pertaining to his betrayal.

Espionage? What....with his undercover identity? Using all them covert multiple connections he made during his prison sentence?

He'd be lucky if he doesn't end back in prison for breaking parole. I'd say it's even odds.

[Morch]

Pollard is natural born US citizen. He was born in Texas. It is not a simple matter to strip him of his US citizenship.

He should not be deported or allowed to leave the US as long as he is serving his sentence, whether than is in jail or on probation. If he violates the terms of his probation, he can be returned to jail.

He is not out of the judicial system yet.

Lalas was on parole until July 2010. He returned to Greece on November 25, 2007, after written assurances from Greek Justice Minister Sotiris Hadjidakis that the Greek government would fulfill any U.S. court decision regarding Lalas' parole.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_John_Lalas

[Thorgal]

Jonathan Pollard early release was also used by Netanyahu to sign the Wye River agreement. Which was off topic.

Bill Clinton didn't accept knowing that his CIA director Tenet would resign if he released the spy.

Israel has no extradition laws to foreign nations. Once the criminals are within sovereignty they gain local amnesty, whatever the crime.

If Pollard was in Israel before conviction, he would have been declared innocent...

Another day, another fairy tale....

http://blogs.loc.gov/law/2014/03/the-sheinbein-saga-and-the-evolution-of-israels-extradition-law/

http://www.coe.int/t/DGHL/STANDARDSETTING/PC-OC/PCOC_documents/PC-OC%20INF%20revised%20documents/Israel%20INF4.pdf (page 13)

And for those less interested in legal mumbo jumbo:

Court upholds US extradition request for Israelis

Defendants allegedly defrauded elderly Americans in fake lottery scams; four others were extradited in January.The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday to uphold a lower court ruling granting a US request to extradite two Israeli citizens charged in the US in connection with a fraudulent multimillion dollar lottery telemarketing scheme.

http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Court-upholds-US-extradition-request-for-Israelis

Those who are interested in the legal mumbo jumbo and are too smart for fairytales...

Israel only signed multilateral agreements for extraditions with following countries :

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Fiji, South Africa, Swaziland and the United States.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/pressroom/1995/pages/extradition%20in%20israel.aspx

I can provide (at least) immediately 2 cases of French-Israeli citizens who escaped prosecution in France thanks to an urgent alyiah...

Browse google or YouTube for the unfamous French hacker Ulcan and the judicial case of Said Bourarach...were all culprits went back to Israel as soon as a French judge opened the cases...

Edited November 21, 2015 by Thorgal

[Seastallion]

Pollard admitted he did it for money. Som nam na for treacherously spying on your own country.

"After he was questioned by the FBI, Mr Pollard and his then-wife, Anne, sought asylum at the Israeli embassy in Washington but were turned away.

Israel initially denied Mr Pollard had spied for them, insisting he had worked with "rogue" officials,

But in 1995, Israel granted him citizenship, and two years later, they admitted he was their agent."

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34876790

Sounds to me like Pollard picked the wrong spymasters as his friends, and the USA picked the wrong closest ally.

It's a pity the USA did not use their asset Pollard as a bargaining chip to put more pressure on Israel to come to its senses.

Israel is not the USA's closest ally, except in your post and those picking it up later on. Same goes for "most trusted". The UK would probably top the list in those terms, followed by the rest of the Five Eyes. On the other hand, the USA is clearly Israel's closest and most trusted ally, hence the stupidity of the action.

Other than reaffirming your obsession with bashing Israel over its conflict with the Palestinians, would you really advocate the USA releasing a traitor in order to further possible political aims in the Middle East? What happened to all them principals, higher moral grounds and ideals often proclaimed?

Israel's conflict with Palestinians. Yes, there is conflict, but the obsession is with the Israeli treatment of Palestinians, how it deals with the conflict, not the conflict itself, per se. You yourself admit Israel's dealing with the situation is not good (yet you still support them in it?).

Prisoners are often exchanged for various political reasons. What's more important, punitive action against a traitor or political advancement with real material potential?

[dexterm]

Pollard admitted he did it for money. Som nam na for treacherously spying on your own country.

"After he was questioned by the FBI, Mr Pollard and his then-wife, Anne, sought asylum at the Israeli embassy in Washington but were turned away.

Israel initially denied Mr Pollard had spied for them, insisting he had worked with "rogue" officials,

But in 1995, Israel granted him citizenship, and two years later, they admitted he was their agent."

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34876790

Sounds to me like Pollard picked the wrong spymasters as his friends, and the USA picked the wrong closest ally.

It's a pity the USA did not use their asset Pollard as a bargaining chip to put more pressure on Israel to come to its senses.

Israel is not the USA's closest ally, except in your post and those picking it up later on. Same goes for "most trusted". The UK would probably top the list in those terms, followed by the rest of the Five Eyes. On the other hand, the USA is clearly Israel's closest and most trusted ally, hence the stupidity of the action.

Other than reaffirming your obsession with bashing Israel over its conflict with the Palestinians, would you really advocate the USA releasing a traitor in order to further possible political aims in the Middle East? What happened to all them principals, higher moral grounds and ideals often proclaimed?

I disagree with your "closest ally" nitpicking.

Yes indeed I would have used him as a bargaining chip.The man has served 30 years.

My ideal and aim is peace in the Palestinian Israeli conflict...what is yours?

Edited November 22, 2015 by dexterm

[Morch]

Another day, another fairy tale....

http://blogs.loc.gov/law/2014/03/the-sheinbein-saga-and-the-evolution-of-israels-extradition-law/

http://www.coe.int/t/DGHL/STANDARDSETTING/PC-OC/PCOC_documents/PC-OC%20INF%20revised%20documents/Israel%20INF4.pdf (page 13)

And for those less interested in legal mumbo jumbo:

Court upholds US extradition request for Israelis

Defendants allegedly defrauded elderly Americans in fake lottery scams; four others were extradited in January.The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday to uphold a lower court ruling granting a US request to extradite two Israeli citizens charged in the US in connection with a fraudulent multimillion dollar lottery telemarketing scheme.

http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Court-upholds-US-extradition-request-for-Israelis

Those who are interested in the legal mumbo jumbo and are too smart for fairytales...

Israel only signed multilateral agreements for extraditions with following countries :

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Fiji, South Africa, Swaziland and the United States.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/pressroom/1995/pages/extradition%20in%20israel.aspx

I can provide (at least) immediately 2 cases of French-Israeli citizens who escaped prosecution in France thanks to an urgent alyiah...

Browse google or YouTube for the unfamous French hacker Ulcan and the judicial case of Said Bourarach...were all culprits went back to Israel as soon as a French judge opened the cases...

Getting sadder each time. Make an off-topic general, unqualified statement, when this is easily dispensed with, backpedal and blunder making the case in question. Not to mention, making another set of nonsense claims.

This topic is about Pollard, a USA citizen who spied for Israel. Your first claim was that Israel got "no extradition laws to foreign nations. Once the criminals are within sovereignty they gain local amnesty, whatever the crime." http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/872388-convicted-spy-pollard-is-released-from-prison-after-30-years/?p=10103384. Backpedaling, you actually concede that there such laws, and that they include the USA (which is the relevant country to this topic). In your haste to denounce Israel and cover up the silly statement posted earlier, you misread or misquoted the relevant bit from the link provided:

Israel is signatory to one multilateral extradition treaty, the European Convention on Extradition, having signed in September, 1967. Israel has concluded seven bilateral treaties including treaties with Australia, Belgium, Canada, Fiji, South Africa, Swaziland and the United States.

And by the way, the link is dated 1995, whereas the law was amended in 1999 (and a couple of times after that).

Not that extradition from Israel to France is really the topic here, but since you insist - Ulcan (Gregory Chelli) was interrogated (in Israel) by representatives of the French police (if memory serves, end of October), so guess the matter is still pending. As for Dan Lampel, I have no idea that he is actually in Israel - but no reason to assume he would be afforded special protection. Note that some extradition cases are conditioned on the criminal serving his sentence in the extraditing country (with the extradition being for trial and sentencing) - this is not something unique to Israel. Both individuals sound like they ought to be brought to justice, that's for sure.

Examples of extradition cases from Israel to France? Google William Nakash...and obviously there were others. Not having an extradition treaty simply means that such requests are processed individually, and that they are subject to lengthy legal procedures and appeals. It does not necessarily preclude extradition, though.

Your whole argument is especially silly considering France does not readily extradite its own citizens to Israel (as there in no bilateral treaty). This made major headlines a while back - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Zeitouni_affair.

With regard to the Pollard case, there were three instances which related to extradition (or something akin to it). The first, when Pollard was denied asylum at the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C.. The second, a USA request to interview Pollard's handlers. And the third, some Israeli notions of having Pollard serve his sentence (or currently, his parole) in Israel. The first instance would have been real tricky if granted, and would have probably damaged relationship between the countries way more severely. In the second instance, the USA request was,pretty much a formal move, without real expectation it would be granted. This is similar to the way USA citizens suspected or caught spying in Israel were treated. Whisked home and the less said the better. There was a showdown, when Pollard's original contact and handler, an IAF officer, was about to assume an important command. Massive USA pressure was brought to bear, and he resigned instead. The third bit was never seriously considered by the USA, and was more along the lines of supporters wishful thinking or Israeli politicians earning some points with voters.

Most countries are not keen on extraditing their own citizens, extradition treaties more in place to address foreign fugitives from the law. Issues of dual nationality obviously complicate matters. Additionally, most extradition treaties are conditional - either with regard on the offense committed (for example, political activism), the probable conditions of incarceration, the chances of extradited person facing life-engendering (including death penalty) and legal procedures at requested country deemed fair. Spies and their handlers are almost never extradited, if such things can be avoided. The practicality is that down the line, tables could be reversed, and therefore better to avoid certain awkward situations.