Israel seeks spy Pollard's freedom

The Committee for Jonathan Pollard downplayed a statement released by the US administration in response to a request to free the convicted spy. A statement released by the committee Tuesday said comments by Tommy Vietor, the National Security Council spokesperson Monday, saying there has been no change in US policy concerning Pollard's release, do not reflect President Barack Obama's personal response. The committee's response came after Israeli President Shimon Peres sent a personal letter to Obama, asking him to pardon Pollard on humanitarian grounds. Peres thanked Obama for the great friendship his government has shown to Israel and expressed the concern felt by the Israeli public over Pollard's deteriorating health, a statement released by the Peres's office said. Peres said a decision to release Pollard, who has served 26 and a half years of a life sentence for spying for Israel, would be viewed as a supreme humanitarian gesture. The Israeli president sent the letter after receiving a petition signed by 80 Knesset members seeking Pollard's release. They also asked Peres not to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington in June if Pollard remains behind bars. "We are all waiting for the official and personal response of Obama directly to Peres," committee spokesperson Adi Ginsburg told The Jerusalem Post. "President Obama is the only one with the authority to commute [such] sentences, so any declarations by any other officials are irrelevant," Ginsburg said.