B'NAI B'RITH URGES PRESIDENT CLINTON TO FREE POLLARD NOW
April 19, 2000
NEWS from B'NAI B'RITH INTERNATIONAL
The World's Largest Jewish Organization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
B'NAI B'RITH URGES PRESIDENT CLINTON TO FREE POLLARD NOW
Washington, D.C. (April 19, 2000) - President Clinton should free Jonathan J. Pollard from federal prison "in the spirit of the Passover holiday," B'nai B'rith International President Richard D. Heideman, Immediate Past President Tommy P. Baer, and Past President Seymour D. Reich say in a letter to the White House.
Writing today on the eve of Passover, the B'nai B'rith leaders note that they have requested several times that President Clinton release Pollard on humanitarian grounds. "Pollard's continued incarceration is harsh and inexplicable," Heideman, Baer, and Reich say. "He is in the 15th year of a life sentence - having pled guilty to one count of conveying classified information to Israel, a U.S. ally. The average time served for such a conviction is two to four years."
On March 16, the three wrote the president that Pollard's "release on humanitarian grounds could only strengthen relations between the United States and Israel, two friendly nations with much still to accomplish together." White House counsel Beth Nolan replied that Clinton had "not made any decisions regarding the present handling of Pollard's case" and would keep the B'nai B'rith leaders' views in mind.
Today, the B'nai B'rith leaders renewed their request that Pollard be freed. "Long overdue, his release would be especially appropriate at this Passover season."
B'nai B'rith International - with leadership and members in 58 countries - is the world's largest Jewish human rights, community action, and humanitarian organization.
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