Time For A Genuine Confidence Building Measure: Releasing Pollard

Dr. Aaron Lerner
IMRA Commentary
28 May '10

“Relations are too cold right now to get the president to release Pollard. Let’s wait for them to warm up.”

“Relations with Washington are finally getting warmer. Let’s not jeopardize the situation by raising the Pollard issue.”

But there is another angle to this story that is worthy of consideration: how are we perceived by American leaders, at the end of the day, when they see the priority – or more accurately lack of priority – we give to gaining the release of Jonathan Pollard.

What genuine gesture can President Obama give to Israel that doesn’t require some kind of offsetting American gesture to the Arabs. An offsetting move that could very well make it counterproductive for Israel to get Obama’s gesture in the first place?

That’s right.

Releasing Jonathan Pollard.

And it’s a move that requires no more than a pen stroke.

No committees.

No votes.

No reviews.

Just President Obama’s signature and Jonathan Pollard can join Netanyahu’s entourage on the flight back from Washington.

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