On visit to Washington, Peres to present Obama with signed petition for Jonathan Pollard's release

[azurnoir]

Source: Ha'aretz

Israel President Shimon Peres began on Monday a four day visit in Washington during which he will be awarded the Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Barack Obama and meet administration officials.

Peres arrived at Blair House, the U.S. president’s official guest house, at 1:30 P.M. local time.

Upon arrival, Peres told reporters that he is honored by the fact Obama chose to award him the medal. “I see it as an exceptional tribute; there are over 200 countries around the world, he could have chosen any one of 200. The fact Israel was chosen is truly remarkable."

The Israeli president also has the authority to grant a pardon, (so) I am familiar with the complexity of granting an amnesty," Peres said. "There are considerations beyond (the legal process) and I will explain it to the president."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/on-visit-to-washington-peres-to-present-obama-with-signed-petition-for-jonathan-pollard-s-release-1.435768



Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/on-visit-to-washington-peres-to-present-obama-with-signed-petition-for-jonathan-pollard-s-release-1.435768

[bluestateguy]

1. I could see him maybe doing it

If it's August/September and Obama is struggling with older, more conservative Jewish voters in Florida, I could see him commuting the sentence.

[TheWraith]

5. Eh, I seriously doubt it.

And I'd be disappointed if he did. Every administration that's gotten a chance at this--Bush 1, Clinton, Bush 2, Obama--has universally responded to these requests by saying "No. Fuck this man to hell and let him rot." That says to me that whatever the details of his espionage were, they were bad enough that the desire to keep him in prison for the rest of his natural life transcends liberal versus conservative. That's gotta be pretty damn bad.

[azurnoir]

7. Obama has been coming under a bit of pressure over this

I honestly do not remember another POTUS getting handed a signed petition by an Israeli government official, I wonder why?

In any event as far as the Repukes are concerned it's a damned if he does damned if he doesn't deal here

If he does he let a sinister spy go free if he doesn't it's 'proof' he hates Jews and Israel

[denverbill]

2. Hand him back a signed petition calling for a Palestinian state. n/t

[jberryhill]

3. I believe the White House has receptacles for these things....

[Swede Atlanta]

4. Nein, nein, nein.......

Pollard spied on the U.S. on behalf of Israel, a supposed ally. The guy did the crime now he needs to do the time.

Treason is one crime where I have little compassion. I oppose the death penalty even for capital crimes but have no problem letting Pollard while away his days in a tiny prison cell contemplating what he did.

[byeya]

6. The counter-intelligence agencies are reportedly dead set against this and it's my

understanding that these agencies, or units thereof, were the ones putting the pressure on past Presidents to keep Pollard in jail.

[The Second Stone]

8. Pollard is a stinking traitor and should die in prison

and I will be deeply disappointed in Obama if he grants this bastard any clemency. I don't know if Pollard is in the Colorado supermax with Ted Kaczynski, but I'm getting pretty tired of the Israelis asking for clemency for Pollard.

[Poll_Blind]

9. Only the politically spineless would be so craven as to release Pollard.

Every president since Reagan has been privy to the actual material Pollard stole and they have all said "Fuck off" to Israeli requests.

I think Joe Biden put it best (starting at 2:50):

PB