See Also: Hebrew Original: The Ballad of Jonathan Pollard
In this clip, Mabat reports on the history of the case, on the unprecedented nature of this visit, and notes that Esther Pollard, Jonathan Pollard's wife, is not impressed. Esther Pollard, the report says, believes that the ambassador's visit is a sham aimed at domestic Israeli public relations, and that it is not part of an intensified effort to secure her husband's release.
J4JP notes that the Ambassador's statement to the Hebrew media, which spoke of the support, concern and commitment of the Israeli Government to seek Jonathan Pollard's release, was precisely the message that needed to be heard by the American media to raise the profile of Jonathan's case. By restricting the Ambassador's message to the Hebrew press only, PM Sharon ensured that the so -called "new intitiative" for Pollard would be seen, heard and known in Israel only -- for domestic consumption only.
Channel 10 interviewed Esther Pollard after reading her OpEd: The Circle of Betrayal is Complete which was the Pollards' response to the Supreme Court of Israel's rejection of Jonathan's petition to be recognized as a Prisoner of Zion.
This interview centers on the breaking news of a willingess to release Jonathan, but the failure of Jerusalem to make a formal, official request. Esther Pollard is also asked about the recent election of Rafi Eitan to Knesset. Esther explains that while Rafi may look like a sweet old man, he is anything but.
Host: Oded Ben Ami
Oded Ben Ami discusses the proposed Barghouti for Pollard swap with Esther Pollard. Esther Pollard speaks of how Jonathan's name is always exploited to sell dubious domestic issues to the Israeli public. As an example Oded Ben Ami holds up the front page of Yediot Achronot showing the headlines that ran a year ago announcing that Pollard would be freed for carrying out the Disengagement.
Includes actual film footage of the protestors as they march through the hall outside of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's hotel room at David's Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem, chanting "Free Pollard Now!"
This video is a film clip of Jonathan Pollard which was prepared for screening at the award ceremony of the Jerusalem Conference (Tuesday, March 20, 2007, Rosh Chodesh Nissan) at the Jerusalem Regency Hotel. The video is in Hebrew, with clips of Jonathan in English (with Hebrew captions). It is an excellent birds-eye view of all of the reasons,both practical and spiritual, that the Jerusalem conference chose to honor Jonathan with this prestigious award. There is a touching segment in the video where Jonathan speaks of his relationship with his wife.The Jerusalem Conference invited Esther Pollard to receive the "Ohev Tzion" Award for her husband Jonathan. Even unilingual English or Hebrew speakers will enjoy this short film clip.
In his apology, the US Ambassador Richard Jones claims his statements about Jonathan Pollard were misinterpreted. Watch the video of Jones (below) as he is speaking about Pollard and you be the judge! See also J4JP's comments on this video.
This video clip was taken from the lead story on the Channel 2 evening news about the presidential race in Israel. It quotes Jonathan Pollard's letter to MKS explaining why Shimon Peres is unfit for the office of president. Pollard's letter bases itself on the 1987 Eban Commission Report, which documents Shimon Peres lies and damaging actions towards an Israeli agent in peril in order to save his own career and personal interests. (See also the detailed version of this listing, which includes links to related articles.)
Esther Pollard presents Jonathan Pollard's statement explaining why Peres is unfit for the office of President and urging MK's not to vote for a man who represents "a clear and present danger to the people and the State of Israel."
In the context of all those who are opposing Peres' candidacy for the office of President, Esther Pollard presents Jonathan Pollard's position explaining why Peres is unfit for the office of President and urging MK's not to vote for him.
A demonstration calling on PM Olmert to resign and expressing dismay at his failure to bring Jonathan Pollard home when he returned from a recent meeting in the US with President Bush, was dispersed with the use of force. This film clip shows that the demonstrators posed no threat - they were only children!
For more details, see the Justice4JPnews release.
Esther Pollard shares the inside story of what really happened with her husband, Jonathan Pollard, who is serving his 22nd year of a life sentence in an American prison for serving Israel and the Jewish People. Eleonora Shifrin hosts from the FrontLine studios in Jerusalem.
If you would like to post a copy of this video to your website, please contact us at justice4jp@gmail.com
Following a performance of the play "Patzuah BaShetach" at the Knesset, [sponsored by MK Uri Ariel and organized by Rav Asher Mivtzari of The Committee to Bring Jonathan Pollard Home] Arutz7 interviewed Nobel prize winner, Professor Israel Auman who happened to be in the audience, and Esther Pollard, wife of Jonathan Pollard. Mrs. Pollard repeated for Arutz7 some of the remarks that she made in her speech on stage following the performance by the Aspeclaria Theatre Group. Mrs. Pollard pointed out that one does not have to be a genius to come to the conclusion that it does not take 22 years to secure the release of one single captive; especially a captive held by our closest ally; a captive for whom the full price has already been paid at Wye, and a captive who has already served 22 years of a life sentence for an offense that has a median sentence of 2 to 4 years. Indeed, it does not take forever to secure the release of one captive, says Mrs. Pollard, unless that was the plan all along...
See Also: Jonathan Pollard's letter to Israeli Ambassador Sallai Merridor [October 22, 2007] (coming soon!)
Arutz7 English News interviewed Esther Pollard following the performance of Pollard play, "Patzuah BaShetach" at the Knesset. The interview is part of the Arutz7 daily newscast. For immediate access to the interview with Esther Pollard, please fast forward to 4:42. The interview is located from 4:42 to 9:50.
Interviewer Avri Gilad: I want to run to Jerusalem and strangle someone!
This interview marking the start of Jonathan Pollard's 23rd year in prison, on Channel 2's morning show "Olam HaBoker," is so compelling that interviewer Avri Gilad ends with the declaration:"Esther, listening to you is so devastating it makes me feel like I want to run to Jerusalem and strangle someone!"
Justice4JPnews - January 8, 2008
IsraelNationalNews - TV interviewed Jerusalem City Council Member Mina Fenton as preparations to receive the overflow crowd for the dedication ceremony later in the day (January 8, 2007) were underway. Israelis from all walks of life braved the cold weather and the inconvenient hour (in the middle of the work-day) to dedicate a public square (Kikar Pariz) in the heart of Jerusalem in honor of Jonathan Pollard, and rename it Freedom for Jonathan Pollard Square. Fenton was instrumental in holding this important ceremony in advance of the visit of President George Bush to the city this week, and filed all of the necessary papers to begin the lengthy process to retroactively make the name change "official".
Click here to view the video. (A short ad will appear, followed by the news video.)
Background:
Esther sat at the table with the panel throughout their discussion. TV viewers could not see her, but the panel "experts" could, and they KNEW who she was. Yet in their prime time discussion about a defense treaty with the USA, not a single "expert" (nor the moderator) ever connects the dots to the defense treaty which Israel and the US signed in 1983 ( to guarantee the exchange of vital security information) which the US blatantly violated, blind-siding Israel, and putting her very existence at risk. This was the American betrayal which ultimately led to Jonathan's operation, to his arrest, and to his unprecedented life sentence for spying for an ally. Esther is the one who points this out to the "experts" after the fact.
The moderator, Oded Shachar, is as aggressive as ever. He spars with Esther but is not able to derail her arguments nor to prevent her from making her point: the only way that a serious intiative for Jonathan's release can fail, is if Olmert does not bring it up with Bush.
See also: The full clip of the panel discussion preceeding Esther Pollard's interview
On the eve of President Bush's arrival in Israel for his first visit as the President of the United States, Esther Pollard was interviewed on Channel One Evening News in English. The interview was later selected as a Jerusalem Post Video Feature.
In the interview, Pollard relates a host of reasons why the Bush visit is a golden opportunity for Israel to secure the release of her husband, now serving his 23rd year of a life sentence in an American prison, for his service to Israel. The interview ends with Esther interjecting that Jonathan's health is failing and that pressing for his release "...has got to be NOW!"
In this interview, Avri Gilad follows up with Esther Pollard to see if the visit of President George Bush to Israel bodes well for the release of Jonathan Pollard. Esther briefly details the numerous reasons supporting a press for Jonathan's release. A serious intiative to secure his release, she says, simply cannot fail at this time! Gilad also interviews the Israeli spokesperson for the American Jewish Committee and asks him if the AJC is doing anything to help free Pollard.
Esther rejects the AJC rep's excuse that they are inactive and uninvolved because they "still haven't forgiven Israel for running Jonathan in the US". She interjects that it is a ridiculous for the AJC to turn its back on Jonathan, who has been the scapegoat for the entire affair for the last 23 years, because the AJC "has not forgiven Israel"! She also points out how ridiculous is the suggestion (by Udi Segal, seen on screen outside the studio) that Rafi Eitan be the one to speak to President Bush to ask him for clemency for Jonathan Pollard, when they meet at dinner that night. Eitan, she says, is an unindicted co-conspirator in the Pollard case. He is not someone whose face should be seen before the President, as long as Jonathan is still in prison, much less be the one to seek Jonathan's release.
Interviewer Michael Tuchman: "Leave Israel out of this, Esther!" Go back to America!
Guest Commentator Journalist Yacov Achimeir: "My colleague is a stupid fool!" "I don't care what the polls say, Pollard is not consensus issue!"
Just prior to this segment with Esther Pollard, Yacov Achimeir tells host Michael Tuchman that he disagrees with a recent article in Maariv about Barak Obama and he criticizes his colleague for writing it, calling him a "Tipaysh, mitoopash!" (a stupid fool). This explains why Esther Pollard responds to a question, saying, "I am not calling anyone a stupid fool, but the question you raise is foolish!"
Those who understand Hebrew, will understand how grossly ignorant and utterly disrespectful both Tuchman and Achimeir are towards the issue of Jonathan Pollard. Tuchman's position is: 'Leave Israel out of this! The Government of Israel can't do anything for Pollard. Go back to America, Esther, and get the Jewish community there to help you.' Achimeir poses as one who supports Pollard and uses his pro-Pollard stance to advance a totally counterproductive approach to the problem. Like Tuchman, Achimeir argues that the responsibility for Pollard does not belong to the Government of Israel. He too insists that it is the American Jewish community which must be woken up and made to take charge.
Nothing Esther says to Tuchman and Achimeir about the responsibility of the Government of Israel to her agent who has spent 23 years in prison for his service to Israel, makes any difference. Tuchman repeatedly cuts Esther off, asks ridiculous questions, and tries to prevent her from responding. The more he tries to derail Esther, supported by Achimeir, the more she stays on track making excellent points -- not easy to do especially in Hebrew. As the hostility on the part of the interviewer grows, so does the volume of the exchange which gets louder and louder. Finally Tuchman realizes he cannot deter Pollard, so he angrily dismisses her: "Esther Pollard! Shalom!" and he turns the camera back to himself and Achimeir, who go on with their own flaky analysis.
Naomi Knobel sings her special song, about and dedicated to Jonathan "Kave el Hashem".
This is the original prime time newscast on Channel 2 Israel TV which brought to light Jonathan Pollard's new letter to Ehud Olmert in which Pollard references the Government's merciless attitude towards him and its lies to the public, as clear indicators of a lack of intent to bring him home. The newscast opens with a film clip of Rafi Eitan's interview on the Knesset Channel, as described in the J4JP release. In this film clip Eitan states that he expects Pollard home soon, falsely raising expectations in Israel that some action has been taken to accomplish this goal (it has not) and that a deal exists (it does not.)
See Also:
Moshe Feiglin, leader of the Manhigut Yehudit (Likud) was interviewed by Channel 2 News, upon his arrival back in Israel, immediately after a prison visit to Jonathan Pollard at FCI Butner, North Carolina. Feiglin speaks from the heart. Although his tone is moderated, Feiglin's anger and frustration with the Government of Israel which continues to abandon and betray Jonathan Pollard, who sacrificed himself for the security of the state, is obvious. The video includes brief footage from Ulpan Shishi which aired last week and featured a clip of Esther Pollard speaking on the phone to Jonathan.
Click the play button below to view.
To view:
See Also:
Airing live from Jerusalem, Tuesday Night Live's Passover Program (TLN#16) celebrating the Holiday of Freedom was dedicated to one who lost his freedom because of his service to the State of Israel, Jonathan Pollard. Show hosts Jeremy Gimpel and Ari Abramowitz have done an outstanding job in putting together an informative, interesting, heart rending program. Well worth investing half an hour to view!
Background
At precisely the time that President Bush and his entourage were landing in Israel for his second visit this year to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary, Esther Pollard is interviewed on Israel's Channel 1 TV. Her fellow interviewee is Tzvia Peres Walden, the daughter of Shimon Peres, the 9th president of Israel.
The interviewer, Yaacov Achimeir, asks Esther how she feels at this time, watching the celebrations. Esther responds that she feels that this is the perfect opportunity to give the entire nation a much needed morale booster: the release of Jonathan Pollard. Israel, she says, is trying desperately to celebrate its 60th anniversary,while reeling from terror attacks, with Kassam rockets falling in Sderot and Ashkelon, and the threat of all out war. By saving the life of an agent in peril and bringing Jonathan home, says Esther, the entire nation would enjoy a much-needed morale booster.
Esther points out that Jonathan has been in prison nearly 40% of all of the years that the State of Israel has been in existence and that this is a terrible stain on the country's national honor. Achimeir is willing to accept Esther's contention that Ehud Olmert, with a bit of support from Shimon Peres, could easily secure Jonathan's release, but has yet to make a serious official request. However, says Achimeir, a translation of a recent interview with President Bush by Israel's Channel 10 TV, indicates that Bush said a flat-out "no" to releasing Jonathan Pollard. Esther laughs and tells Achimeir that she is so glad he brought this up because it provides her with the opportunity to correct all of the ridiculously inaccurate Hebrew translations of the Bush interview.
The question that was asked of Bush, she explains, was whether or not he had received an official request for Jonathan's release from Ehud Olmert and if so what is his position. Instead of answering, Bush avoids the question like the plague. His response is totally unrelated to the question, "We are constantly examining cases," he says. Although pressured by the interviewer, Bush bobs and weaves to avoid having to admit that he never received an official request for Jonathan's release. Bush finally puts an end to the questions by simply stating that "at this time, there is no change in the official position." Of course not, says Esther. There has been no official request from Olmert!
Tzvia Walden cites "rules of diplomacy" as the excuse for Peres and Olmert not seeking Jonathan's release. Esther brushes aside "rules of diplomacy" by citing the urgency in saving the life of an Israeli agent who has served more than 5 times the usual sentence for the offense he committed in passing critical information to Israel to save the State. All this, and much more, packed into an interesting 13 minute interview.
Note: It may take a minute or so for the player below to load.
On the eve of President George W. Bush's arrival in Israel, tens of thousands of people turned out in a massive show of solidarity with Jonathan Pollard. Protestors formed a human chain in front of the American consulate and all the way up the Street to the Prime Minister's residence. They held signs and chanted calling for Pollard's release.
A massive rally followed the human chain event. The crowd was so overwhelming that police were forced to close down the street leading to the Prime Minister's residence for hours. A host of compelling speakers ranging from former prisoner of Zion Yosef Mendelevitch to attorneys Nitsana Darshan - Leitner and Larry Dub, to Pollard's wife Esther, addressed the crowd.
Renown singer Arieh Zilber and other talented personalities entertained the overflow crowd. Zilber engaged the massive crowd of protestors in a lively round of song based on verses from the morning prayers which refer to G-d as the Matir Assurim and Zokeff K'fufim and Pokeach Ivrim. (G-d frees the imprisoned, raised up the opressed, and opens the eyes of the blind.) The responsive song was so moving that the crowd began to sing and clap and dance!
Click here to view the video.
Some of the Interviewees include:
Jonathan Pollard entered his 24th year in American prison on November 21, 2008. His wife Esther says that now, nearing the end of President Bush's term, is the right time to request his release.
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After years of declining invitations to appear on this prime time TV show, known for its aggressive and raucous style, Esther Pollard agreed to participate in a special program marking the advent of President George Bush to Israel and to do a short one-on-one interview. Just ahead of Esther's interview a 6 person panel of "experts" was invited to discuss the proposal that Israel seek and sign a formal defense treaty with the US. (The panel discussion was also conducted one-on-one rather than with everyone shouting to be heard which is the usual style of "Politica").
Jerusalem Post Video Feature - January 9, 2008
Interviewer Avri Gilad: Bush is here; is Pollard part of the package?
A classic example of official Israel's twisted thinking
See also: Esther Pollard Guest of Honor March 2nd at Jlem Municipality Event
"Jonathan could be here for Leil HaSeder"
Justice4JPnews
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