Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations Stands with Govt. Against Pollard

Justice4JPnews - April 20, 2008

To: Editor Hamodia, Mrs. Ruth Lichtenstein
From: Mrs. Esther Pollard

Dear Mrs Lichtenstein,

Re: Hamodia Special Feature* on Jonathan Pollard, 04/17/08 Pages B2- B7

Jonathan and I want to extend a hearty Yashar Koach to Hamodia for the Special Feature presentation of the Pollard case in the Passover Edition! Hamodia has done a great service to Klal Yisrael with this six-page special feature by making the truth accessible to readers in the US and in Israel. Multiple articles on the Pollard case shine a light on the long-neglected mitzvah of pidyan shvuyim, and honestly portray my husband, Jonathan Pollard, who is fighting a life and death battle for freedom after decades of abandonment and betrayal by Israel and the American Jewish Leaders.

We would, however, like to request a correction regarding the comments of Malcom Hoenlein (Hamodia, Special Feature, 04/17/08 Page B6). Contrary to Mr. Hoenlein's statements, the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations did indeed reassure President Reagan that it agreed with Jonathan's life sentence and would never oppose his being incarcerated for life, in a letter to then-Secretary of State George Schulz. We obtained a copy of the Conference's letter via the Freedom of Information Act, and it has been posted to our website since 2002. A copy follows below, with J4JP introductory remarks.

Please note that letter assuring the Reagan Administration of its agreement regarding Jonathan's being "justly" sentenced to life in prison and its commitment not to interfere in any way with the sentence, was written by the Conference of Presidents a mere 6 days after Jonathan was sentenced to life in prison.

While Mr. Hoenlein recently told Hamodia, that such no such commitment was ever made, please note the letterhead. It indicates that Mr. Hoenlein was at the time, Executive Director of the Conference.

As the Hamodia Special Feature accurately portrayed him, Jonathan is a G-d fearing man and uncompromising about the truth. He chooses his words carefully and would never falsely accuse anyone. We therefore hope that Hamodia will bring the letter below (and its attached media release) to the attention of your readers. We encourage you also to share the response from the Administration to the Conference in which Schulz confirms receipt of the letter and expresses satisfaction that the Conference has adopted the Government's position on the Pollard case.

In all fairness, it should be made clear to your readers that Jonathan's statement to Hamodia "...the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations assured President Reagan that they agreed with my sentence and would never do anything to oppose my imprisonment for life" is accurate and comports with the facts.

With our appreciation and deepest thanks,
Esther and Jonathan Pollard

FOIA DOC: Conference of Presidents Letter to U.S. Secretary of State Betraying Pollard

J4JP Release - November 18, 2002

The following document, dated March 10, 1987 - six days after Jonathan Pollard was sentenced to life in complete violation of a plea agreement which Pollard honored and the Government abrogated - was recently obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). If ever there were a green light from the leadership of the Jewish community to the American Government to do with Pollard as it wished, this is it.

It is a letter written by Morris Abram, chairman of the Conference of Presidents to George Shultz Secretary of State, pledging the support of the Jewish community while clearly signaling that the Pollard issue is of no consequence to the Jews.

Abram, not Shultz, insists that Pollard not be allowed to interfere with the American Government's Middle East agenda. He assures Shultz unequivocally - though in not so many words - that that no matter what the government may do to Pollard, there will be no protest from the American Jewish community or its leaders. Not content to leave it at that, Abram also signals his intention to enlist the Government of Israel and thereby ensure a united front in the abandonment of Jonathan Pollard.

This letter documents the on-going betrayal Jonathan Pollard has suffered at the hands of the American Jewish leadership - a betrayal that continues to this very day.

Conference of Presidents
of Major American Jewish Organizations
515 Park Avenue

Morris B. Abram
Chairman

Malcolm I. Hoenlein
Executive Director

(212) 373 3237

March 10, 1987

The Honorable George P. Shultz
Secretary of State
State Department
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I think it is appropriate that you know my feelings (as Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations) on the Pollard affair; so therefore, I am enclosing a copy of a Press Release issued today. During the period of your stewardship of the Department of State, our country's stance has dramatically improved to the extent that I now believe that it will bear diplomatic fruit. Also, under this Administration, the American presence in the Middle East is more forcibly apparent because of the doctrine of strategic cooperation with Israel. In my judgment, and I believe in yours as well, it would be contrary to the interest of the United States were the Pollard affair allowed to unravel, in any respect, what you have so painstakingly developed.

I am off to Israel Saturday, where I shall convey the feelings I have expressed in the enclosed statement to the Prime Minister and others in the Israeli government. When I return, I hope I will have the opportunity of discussing these matters with you, for I will welcome your advice.

With deep respect, I am,
Sincerely,

(signed)
Morris B. Abram