Release Pollard to Encourage Israeli Concessions to Middle East Peace

Monday October 22, 2007 12:32 by Mike Mullenix

According to Jpost.com, the news website of the Jerusalem Post, President Shimon Peres almost secured the release of Jonathon Pollard from the US government. Pollard, a former U.S. Navy Civilian analyst, sold nuclear secrets to the Israelis and was found guilty of treason and spying and is now serving a life sentence in an American prison. The article reported that at the last minute, however, the US Intelligence community pulled the plug on the deal. However, is it possible that the US is playing with Israel, the same way Israel is playing with the Palestinians?

American spy Johnathan Pollard

What exactly does that mean? It is clear that all the promises of the Israeli government, withdraws to 67 borders, freedom of movement, a Palestinian state, timelines, etc… are just a game to the Israeli’s. The Israeli’s have not budged an inch on their stance and their negotiations are more like dictations and less like a mutual consensus between two groups attempting to find a solution to a decades old problem. It appears that Israel is more concerned about what they have to give to the Palestinians to secure a peace deal with the rest of the Arab/Muslim World. Israel is testing the solidarity of the Arab/Muslim world by challenging their appearance at the Middle East Peace Conference in Annapolis, Md in the coming weeks. If they appear willing to attend with no declarations of principles, then that is what they will get. If they appear willing to attend only with a declaration of principles, then that is what they will get. If they refuse to attend without a peace deal, then they won’t be booking flights to the US in the near future. This is where Pollard steps in.

How does Pollard fit into the peace strategy? Well, a release of Jonathon Pollard as an act of good will actually accomplishes nothing for the US. President Bush is looking to improve his personal legacy as well as any bargaining chip he can use to push his newly found dedication to a two-state solution. As such, Pollard becomes an interesting chip in the pot when America is sitting around a table with Israel talking peace. Just like Israel’s baiting of the Arab/Muslim world with promises, the US is baiting Israel by simply reminding them that they also have something that they can offer if Israel is actually interested in a fair and just solution. It appears that we now have their attention, but is Israel ready to play ball with the US, and thus show their hand as to what they truly are willing to do for peace?

As an American, I view Pollard as nothing more than a negotiating chip that can be played at the right time, at the right table, with the right people to make concessions more palatable to the Israeli’s. Since Olmert is suffering a tremendous lack of support at the time, and as members of his coalition appear willing to disband if any major concessions are granted to the Palestinians, such a chip could be the tipping point to peace. Pollard has served over 22 years in American prisons and releasing him at this point would do nothing to jeopardize American security, on the contrary, it could make it more secure.

If Israel is interested in Pollard and peace, I have no problem releasing Pollard to make the Middle East more stable. In return this will make America safer by ACTIVELY involving themselves in the peace process and showing Israel, the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab/Muslim world that the US is also willing to put something into the pot to sweeten it up. We too can make concessions in the name of peace. If the release of Pollard helps in securing peace as well as the creation of a Palestinians state it would provide a huge good will gesture amongst Arab/Muslim states as well and making America more secure than keeping Pollard in prison ever would. There is a greater risk to American security from Arab/Muslim animosity towards American foreign policy than could ever be created by Jonathon Pollard’s release. The real question is, is the American government smart enough to figure this out on their own, or do they have to read it here, for them to realize Pollard’s potential.

I can only repeat what I have been saying since 9/11 – “One step, just one step by the American government to ease the suffering and humiliation of the Palestinians and grant them the rights that any human being should expect and deserve, would do more to fight terror than all of George W Bush's wiretaps, invasions and lies.” For Israel to continue to fight is easy, to make peace will be hard, if we can provide any additional impetus for their concessions, for security for Israel, Palestine, Israel’s Arab neighbors, the United States, and also as a groundwork for opening discussions with other Islamic countries, then Pollard is a small price to pay, but use him wisely.

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