It appears that the US is considering to release Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard to Israel after all.
Pollard probably is still the the most harmful spy the US suffered in recent memory. Pollard was apparently cued by the Israelis to find specific intel indentified by file number by a second Israeli spy. In doing that, he gave the Israelis 'the holy Grail' of American intelligence-gathering: "sources and methods" i.e. how the US intelligence systems work. In terms of effort and money needed to repair that damage we're speaking probably about more than a decade and many, many billions.
Parts of this intel the Israelis then repackaged and traded to the Russians (America's enemy at the time), in exchange for them letting Jews immigrate to Israel. Some ally, but if it's good for Israel ...
The people in the US who call for his release ignore or do not understand the severity of his crime. They should read Seymour Hersh's excellent article on the case: Why Pollard Should Never Be Released (The Traitor).
It is easily understandable in light of the grave damage that Pollard and the Israelis caused to the US that there is massive resistance to his release in US national security circles.
As for Pollard himself, his motivation was purely monetary, and it was only in jail that he preferred to discover as his motivation Judaism and to underplay the part that his super spy fantasies and the need to fund his costly coke habit played. In a sense, Pollard is pretty much a 'born again' Jew. I am inclined to be quite sceptical about his ex post facto redemption.
With regard to the damage the Israelis caused to the US by reselling Pollard's matterial, it is more than a little impertinent of them to call for his release without them offering anything in return. Usually, they call for more arms and aid while at it.
Pollard's release is unliklely to placate the Israelis for long. To them Pollard is a sentimental issue at best. He is just one man, and what is that against hysterical fear of loss of regional dominance, that 'existential threat'? The US should only hand over Pollard after having received something tangible in return in terms of Israeli good conduct (no assassinations, no sabotage, etc pp).
Alas, the Israelis reject any conditions coming with the offer:
"Israel reacted with cautious optimism Sunday to the news that the spy Jonathan Pollard might be released on parole from a U.S. prison in November after serving 30 years of a life sentence. But Israeli leaders stressed that Pollard’s freedom would not derail their plans to vigorously oppose the Iran nuclear deal."
As a guesture of goodwill it demonstrably fails to impress or sway the Israelis. They probably hold the US in contempt for offering it in the first place.
Usually, spies are being released or exchanged on a strictly quid pro quo basis. Pollard's realease doesn't make sense without a deal. He yet has to complete his sentence. If Israel is unwilling to reciprocate or even concede anything, why release the man? If the Israelis are unrepentant, let him repent in their stead.
May the Traitor Pollard - rot in jail forever plus one day .
Posted by: alba etie | 27 July 2015 at 06:01 AM
My guess is that the deal is done; but the release will not be announced until November after the parole board approves the release. This will provide the WH with a "beard".
Posted by: Booby | 27 July 2015 at 07:30 AM
Or send half of him to Israel now and half in two years, depending upon Israel's good conduct.
Posted by: Oofda | 27 July 2015 at 07:45 AM
Maybe so. Israeli protestations would then be part of Bibi's beard in such a deal.
Still, the Israelis may just be themselves. It wounds like something they would say on any day of the week, irrespective of any deal perhaps having already been reached.
I am hesitant to read what you suggest into this.
My hunch is that the Obamaites offered Pollard as a concession, believing it would 'improve relations', and the Israelis are ready to take it, and will try to milk it to the fullest and try to to get something else on top of it.
It wouldn't feel like winning if they wouldn't at least try to squeeze a delivery of JDAM or F16 from the US at least - before they renege on any promises they offially didn't make anyway.
My impression is that the idea of a win-win scenario is alien to Netanyahu's brain.
Posted by: confusedponderer | 27 July 2015 at 07:57 AM
IMO the major POLLARD value to US has been overlooked. He never disclosed other Israeli spies working against the US nor exact details of all of his efforts.
So POLLARD release only if he and Israelies cooperate fully on disclosure as to their spy operations in the US and any secret dual citizenship granted to American Jewish citizens and residents and registration of AIPAC under FARA.
Posted by: William R. Cumming | 27 July 2015 at 08:29 AM
WRC
The Israelis can never do that. The "ring" is still extant and functioning within The Borg. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 27 July 2015 at 08:33 AM
He should only be released after Israel gives full citizenship and civil rights to their Palestinian population. That would keep him locked up for the foreseeable future.
Posted by: Lars | 27 July 2015 at 08:41 AM
Col. Lang,
They're getting the aid and this criminal.
Satirical website The Onion has unintentionally made an accurate prediction, running a spoof story about Washington’s readiness to ship missiles to Israel after the Iranian nuclear deal. Just 24 hours later media reported that the missile offer was real.
The fake news story, which appeared on the Onion on July 14, was headlined “US Soothes Upset Netanyahu with Shipment of Ballistic Missiles.”
https://www.rt.com/usa/310505-onion-israel-us-missile/
They're not going to stop spying on us and we continue to pay for it.
Israel’s espionage activities in America are unrivaled and unseemly, counterspies have told members of the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees, going far beyond activities by other close allies, such as Germany, France, the U.K. and Japan. A congressional staffer familiar with a briefing last January called the testimony “very sobering…alarming…even terrifying.” Another staffer called it “damaging.”
http://www.newsweek.com/israel-wont-stop-spying-us-249757
And then some...
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/us_ints/spy.html
Posted by: Cee | 27 July 2015 at 09:03 AM
The Duffel Blog offered this the last time there was talk of Pollards release:
"U.S. Accidentally Repatriates Israeli Spy To Iran" http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/04/israeli-spy-to-iran/
Posted by: Grimgrin | 27 July 2015 at 09:10 AM
Colonel,
Do you really think they'll release Pollard to the Israelis?
Posted by: J | 27 July 2015 at 09:36 AM
I am reading an account of how the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) caught Jonathan Pollard. The author played an integral role in apprehending Pollard and getting the confession that led to Pollard's conviction. The preface sets a depressing tone: "Tragically, long before he started spying, the Navy had many opportunities to fire him but didn’t. As a result, his espionage activity did irreparable damage to the national defense of the United States."
Olive, Ronald J. (2013-09-02). Capturing Jonathan Pollard: How One of the Most Notorious Spies in American History Was Brought to Justice (Kindle Locations 114-116). Naval Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
Regards,
Posted by: Charles Dekle | 27 July 2015 at 09:38 AM
He is a dodgy character. What kind of life can he look forward to if released? He will be distrusted -- and worse, obscure.
Posted by: rjj | 27 July 2015 at 09:41 AM
Given the following he has gotten in Israel and amongst the misled Americans who call for his release, Pollard will be hailed and feted as a martyr until they find out what a creep he is.
They'll then probably blame the US prison system for having made their hero that way.
Posted by: confusedponderer | 27 July 2015 at 09:54 AM
This is what happens when you don't execute traitors.
Posted by: BabelFish | 27 July 2015 at 10:01 AM
Charles Dekle
I had the misfortune to know the navy intelligence admiral who hired this little s--t to work for them at the navy intel center at Suitland, Maryland. He never could explain why he hired him. Pollard was OBVIOUSLY not someone you wanted working for you in the spook business. As for Pollard's disposition, I would say that either the Israelis deal over him (either in private or publicly) or we find a reason to hold him until he croaks. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 27 July 2015 at 10:21 AM
The Onion is perhaps the most profoundly prescient "news" publications in America. From January 17, 2001:
http://www.theonion.com/article/bush-our-long-national-nightmare-of-peace-and-pros-464
Posted by: ex-PFC Chuck | 27 July 2015 at 10:40 AM
Given the following we ARE TOLD he has in Israel....
they are not idiots.
Their grandparents spoke Yiddish, which was as rich in terms for human foibles as Inuit is/was for snow. Takes more than two generations for that sort of knowledge to be lost.
QUALIFIER: I am only guessing, but would bet on it.
Posted by: rjj | 27 July 2015 at 10:58 AM
What would happen to him if he were handed over to the Israelis? Wouldn't he be subjected to some um, rigorous questioning?
Posted by: rjj | 27 July 2015 at 11:12 AM
"Wouldn't he be subjected to some um, rigorous questioning?"
For what purpose? He has given what he could give them, and is worthless as a source now that he no longer enjoys access.
Posted by: confusedponderer | 27 July 2015 at 11:31 AM
Agree so Pollard stays put!
Posted by: William R. Cumming | 27 July 2015 at 12:30 PM
Dual citizens are often on Members and Committee stsff
Posted by: William R. Cumming | 27 July 2015 at 12:32 PM
I probably don't understand this but isn't, under law, Pollard up for mandatory parole on 21 November unless the Administration can show he's misbehaved in prison or presents a threat of future criminal activity?
If so, the Administration seems to have three options:
1. Do nothing and let the Parole Commission decide. Since Pollard seems to have behaved himself in prison and is unlikely to get access to classified material in the future, there's a good chance he'll be let go.
2. Come up with some argument to persuade the Parole Commission that he's still a threat.
3. Let him go before 21 November, which would obviously be an ill-advised and futile political move.
I'm guessing 1.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/24/426023212/convicted-spy-jonathan-pollard-is-eligible-for-parole-in-november-could-be-relea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Parole_Commission
Posted by: Allen Thomson | 27 July 2015 at 12:55 PM
Was Adm Shapiro actually involved in hiring him? I know that Rich Haver recommended he be fired and Shapiro has expressed regret that he didn't do so.
Posted by: Allen Thomson | 27 July 2015 at 01:17 PM
They would be interested in what he had disclosed about what he knows wouldn't they?
Posted by: rjj | 27 July 2015 at 01:51 PM
Col Lang,
I am about a quarter of the way through the book. It is amazing how many red flags were raised by Pollard's behavior even before he was granted the TS/SCI access that he was desperate to have. Of course I have the advantage of 20/20 hindsight but the admiral certainly was derelict, in my opinion.
I agree. He should never get out of prison for the damage that he caused to our National Security.
Kind regards,
Posted by: Charles Dekle | 27 July 2015 at 01:54 PM