Friday, July 31, 2015

Fwd: Why is The DC Federation Silent on the Iran Deal?

From: Citizens Opposed to Propaganda Masquerading as Art (COPMA) <info@copma.net>
Date: Fri, Jul 31, 2015 at 2:25 AM
Subject: Why is The DC Federation Silent on the Iran Deal?



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This Is Not The Time For Our Federation to Be Sitting On the Fence on the Iran Deal

 

Dear Friends,

Why is our D.C Federation silent so far? The DC Federation and JCRC are dithering and equivocating on the Iran nuclear deal, conspicuously avoiding taking a position. They have issued statements saying we need to review the deal closely. They are arranging speakers to talk about the deal. But they have failed to take a position.

Federations in Boston and Miami have opposed the Iran nuclear deal and are calling on their members and Congressional representatives to vote against approval of the deal. The JCRC of New York has publicly expressed grave concerns over the deal and has stated that it will not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Federations in Phoenix, Los Angeles, South Palm Beach County, Detroit, Dallas, Philadelphia and elsewhere have spoken out to express opposition to the deal. In Israel opposition to the Iran deal crosses political lines, with the Left, the Right and the Israeli public virtually unanimous in their opposition. AIPAC, Simon Wiesenthal Center, World Jewish Congress, Zionist Organization of America, The Israel Project, EMET, CAMERA and most other major pro-Israel groups are publicly expressing disapproval of the Iran nuclear deal. President Obama himself, before the deal was finalized, repeatedly said "No deal is better than a bad deal." Only the most radical groups in Israel and the US (i.e., J Street, Jewish Voice for Peace, Americans for Peace Now, Ameinu, etc) are supporting the deal, and this is just one more instance in a long history of conduct by these groups that undermines Israel.

So, why is our DC Federation silent in the face of this existential threat to Israel? Is this yet another example of a misguided solicitude by the DC Federation to the few extreme voices in the Jewish Community? Is this what happens when those advocating for a "Big Tent" turn a blind eye to Israel's welfare in order to avoid offending those who care the least about Israel's welfare?

Please call and write to Steve Rakitt, CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington <steve.rakitt@shalomdc.org>, and Ron Halber, <rhalber@jcouncil.org>, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC -- a subsidiary of the Federation), urging them to take a public stand against the Iran nuclear deal and to contact our congressional representatives in the DC area to express their opposition.

Now is not the time for fence sitting. The deal explicitly authorizes Iran to continue developing ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) which can quickly be armed with nuclear warheads and used to target Europe and the US. Future generations of American and Israeli children will grow up under the specter of nuclear attack from Iran if this nuclear deal goes through.

Calls and emails from constituents to their Senators and Congressmen are also vital, so please contact your congressional representatives in the DC area to express your opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. The contact web page and telephone numbers for your senators and representatives can be found here:

Maryland <http://www.contactingthecongress.org/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc2011&state=md
Virginia <http://www.contactingthecongress.org/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc2011&state=va>


Citizens Opposed to Propaganda
Masquerading as Art (COPMA)

Robert G. Samet, Chairman
Mark H. Lazerson, Vice-Chairman
Carol Greenwald, PhD, Treasurer
Barbara Leber, PhD, Secretary
Jeffrey Ward, General Counsel
http://www.COPMA.net
info@copma.net




--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing. 

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 

A Protest Letter to Knesset Members: Protest that Israel destroys homes in Bet El and Sarnur, Arabs then destroy outlook at Netzer Women in Green, Matot Arim

bs"d

Dear Knesset Members: 

Israel should never demolish homes because of stupidities.  It serves only to empower our enemies who say, " See even the government of Israel concurs that they are illegally occupying Palestinian Land. Let us go ahead and destroy other settlements who were conceived without the official approvals" 

For background read below Mattot Arim announcement re: pending demolition. 
 
Chaver Knesset: Demolishing Jewish Homes is a terrible Chillul Hashem!

Maybe this analogy will help you understand why this was so evil. 

Does it make sense to murder a child that was conceived in holiness with parents who didn't receive the official marriage documents from the State.  Is the child any less holy or legitimate than other children whose parents received official documents and fortunately didn't need to wait to get official permission because of the likes of Obama, or the EU,  to marry and have children?  

Is any child born due to lack of documentation deserving of destruction?  Does it bring much comfort to the parents, who toiled and nurtured this child to officially receive permission to have other children?  SHAME ON THE COURT WHO ISSUED THIS IMMORAL DEMOLITION of Bet El and Sarnur ON THE YARHARZEIT OF GUSH KATIF EXPULSION, the Yahrzeit of Tish Baav????

For Heavens Sake!   Why didn't the courts give the proper documentation to begin with, when it was requested? Why the years and years of delay?????

You care so much for legalities???? Are YOU above G-d's law, the Torah,  who promised this Land to the Nation of Israel and commanded her to settle the Land????

Let us daven hoshiva shofteinu ke-varishonah ...

Date: Fri, Jul 31, 2015 at 12:11 AM
Subject: Arabs destroy outlook at Netzer
To: womeningreen@womeningreen.org


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arabs Destroy the Observation Point and a Commemorative Site at Netzer
in Gush Etzion

Arab  residents of one of the villages neighboring Netzer, in Gush
Etzion, came this afternoon (Thursday) to the grounds of Netzer with a
tractor and destroyed  the observation point overlooking Gush Etzion
Junction and the commemorative site at that location.

The heads of Women in Green, the movement that set up the site,
together with the Committee for Netzer, were summoned urgently to the
place while the Arabs were still wreaking destruction with the tractor
that they were driving. While they were still carrying out the
destruction, the heads of Women in Green arrived, along with the lands
commissioner of Gush Etzion, Moshe Frucht and the local security
person, and together they put a stop to the action and stopped the
Arab responsible for the destruction.

In parallel to this act of destruction at the observation point,
another Arab tractor entered a different section of Netzer and tried
to take over large portions of land that had recently been declared
statelands.

"The tailwind from Beit El has arrived to Gush Etzion", say both
Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar, heads of Women in Green, about the
incident. "The Arabs destroyed the memorial site dedicated to the
memory of Sarah Spiegel, obm, known for her love of Israel, fearlessly
and in broad daylight. They destroyed the large pergola, benches,
trees.

It should be noted that Women in Green had erected a large pergola and
benches in memory of holocaust survivors. With this destructive act,
the Arabs plowed the site under, leaving behind havoc and ruin.

"Let's see how the bleeding hearts cry out and make excuses now that
the destruction is over. The Arabs' audacity is rising more and more
while the image of the Israeli government becomes lower and lower,"
say the two women, and promise that "we will return to set up the site
and the observation point overlooking Gush Etzion Junction, Alon
Shvut, Elazar, Efrat and Rosh Tzurim".

Donations for the rebuilding of the outlook are urgently needed.
Please click here. Thank you. http://www.womeningreen.org/help

Photos of the outlook before and after can be seen by clicking here :
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/198852#.Vbpwg5sw83E

For Details:
Yehudit Katsover   050-7161818   Nadia Matar  050-5500834
The Movement for Israel's Tomorrow
(Women in Green)

=============================================
Women For Israel's Tomorrow  (Women in Green)
POB 7352, Jerusalem 91072, Israel
mailto:wfit2@womeningreen.org
http://www.womeningreen.org
For online donations to Women in Green:
http://www.razoo.com/story/Women-In-Green
=================================================
date: Tue, Jul 28, 2015 at 12:15 PM

TODAY IN BET-EL (Sent before the actual demolition took place)

The pro-Palestinian, European funded Yesh Din continues its work against YehudaShomron communities such as Bet-El http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.645576
 
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Netanyahu is leaning toward bulldozing the Bet-El buildings attacked by this lawfare ("the Dreinoff buildings").
Netanyahu did say that his government "opposes" the High Court Justice ruling demanding that the buildings be bulldozed: http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/.premium-1.668201
However, when a leader SAYS he "opposes" something, it's not the same as actually MAKING SURE it doesn't happen.
 
Here is a fascinating article explaining that "opposing" or "being concerned" about something, often means nothing.
After all just one 10 second phonecall from Netanyahu to Bogy Yaalon and from Yaalon to the IDF commander of YehudaShomron is enough to ENSURE that that buildings are saved. The entire matter is COMPLETELY in Netanyahu's hands so how can he "oppose" what he himself is doing?
 
You cannot contact PM Netanyahu. You CAN contact MKs and ministers who have daily phone contact and meetings with him. 
They can urge Netanyahu to do the right thing, and their email addresses are above  - in red font - in the Hebrew section.
Example message:
Dear Leaders, Please represent me - ask Netanyahu to STOP bulldozing in Bet-El.  It's not enough to SAY "I'm opposed" – he (and you) must STOP it!
10 years ago Mr. Netanyahu similarly "opposed" disengagement – but voted in favor - Please persuade him to protect Israel and not repeat such grave errors.
Sincerely, (your full name); if you have Likud voting privileges please add "Likud member" or "Likud activist" after your name
 
RECOMMENDED, MOVING EXPERIENCE!! For solidarity visits to Bet-El, see information (and phone numbers) here: http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4684295,00.html
 
For more background, see links in the Hebrew section above and see a Peace Now update:https://peacenow.org/entry.php?id=13009#.VbeAKBEw8iQ
 
As this "goes to press" – a big THANK YOU to the organizers of a protest vigil against bulldozing in Bet-El, who just called in from their junction near Rehovot.



--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing. 

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 

Check out Universal Morality: The Seven Noahide Laws.

bs"d

For your consideration.

Let us protest in Unity under the Noahide umbrella which is all inclusive. ps I am not Chabad but I respect the wisdom of the Rebbe and his teachings.


Radical Islamic extremism and radical Islamic Shiites sacrifice their children in the name of Allah, behead and/or hang and/or enslave their own people at whim, and enslave women for immoral purposes. They call for destruction of America and Israel and their call for nuclear enrichment is none other than for the expressed purpose of a nuclear weapon.  Both ISIS and the Islamic Gov't of Iran,  clearly as a society, invoke multiple violations of the Seven Noahide Laws. They do not respect human life, the institution of marriage, human property and belongings etc.  They often encourage and act with animal  brutality which can only  be classified as subhuman.

 WE THE PEOPLE,  should march en masse, shouting "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

 We insist that Congress reject this Terrible Nuclear Deal with Iran! 

One Nation Under G-d A Jewish Message to America By Yisroel Deren  http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/1898671/jewish/One-Nation-Under-G-d.htm

re: Mobilization of WE THE PEOPLE:  Communities, mobilized under a Spiritual leader is a practical and smart way to bring in numbers. It also respects the comfort level of  individuals who prefer congregating in protest with their own. 

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Advocacy Against Nuclear Iran ObamaDeal - Disturbing WSJ Article, TIP, NORPAC Please Educate. As the American public learns more about the Iran nuclear deal, polls show they grow more opposed to it.

bs"d

 Points here to share with your Senators and Members of the House.  See below for contact information for NY, NJ Senators, NY House of Representatives and  U.S. Senate Members courtesy of NORPAC> 

Can we trust the Iranians to tell the inspectors the truth?

24-Jul-15: by Arnold Roth:  If the Iranians read the Wall Street Journal, we're all in deep trouble

Barely a year after the successful elimination of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, it's now being revealed to the shock-horror-astonishment of Western media and observers that... the Syrians failed to surrender the chemical weapons they said they were surrendering. And that they told teensie-weensie lies to get the United States and the other interested Western parties off their backs.

As a spine-chilling, lengthy analytical report published yesterday ["Mission to Purge Syria of Chemical Weapons Comes Up Short", Wall Street Journal | Adam Entous and Naftali Bendavid | July 23, 2015] shows, the wily Syrian regime is now, today, right at this moment, holding onto caches of deadly nerve agents which they
"may be prepared to use... if government strongholds are threatened by Islamist fighters. If the regime collapses outright, such chemical weapons could fall into the hands of Islamic State or another terror group." [Wall Street Journal]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Israel Project
 


 
As the American public learns more about the Iran nuclear deal, polls show they grow more opposed to it.
 
We've created the video below to easily explain the dangers of this complex deal but we need your help to make sure as many people see it as possible.
 
 

Congress is the last defense against this bad deal that gives Iran the bomb. We need to make sure they hear the voice of the American people.
 
If you haven't already, add your name at NoBombForIran.com and click here to send a letter to your representative in Washington.
 
Thank you for adding your voice and your support.

------------------------------------------------------------

No Alternative to the Nuclear Iranian Deal?

Foreign Policy: Top General Admits Disagreements With White House Over Iran Deal http://buff.ly/1Ddr7P2  pic.twitter.com/ODF4IG5koh  a break with the White House, outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey said Wednesday he advised against lifting sanctions on weapons and ballistic missile shipments to Iran as part of the new nuclear deal with Tehran.

Bloomberg View: Top French Official Contradicts Kerry on Iran Deal http://buff.ly/1IvwHMY  pic.twitter.com/6GKSPVCCfH Secretary of State John Kerry has been painting an apocalyptic picture of what would happen if Congress killed the Iran nuclear deal. Among other things, he has warned that "our friends in this effort will desert us." But the top national security official from one of those nations involved in the negotiations, France, has a totally different view: He told two senior U.S. lawmakers that he thinks a Congressional no vote might actually be helpful.

 
 

Dear Friends,

Members of Congress were presented in May with an Iran Scorecard detailing their own words on the parameters of a satisfactory deal with Iran. Over the last two weeks, experts have analyzed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and found it lacking on many critical points.

We present to you here the NORPAC Iran Scorecard with added notes on the JCPOA. These notes contain technical details with references to the JCPOA document itself on the shortcomings of this deal and the dangers it places on the United States and our allies.

Action Item
Please call your Representative and Senators, as well as any Members of Congress you may have hosted or met on the NORPAC Mission, or their aides, and let them know that you are strongly opposed to the Iran Nuclear Deal.

We ask that you review and discuss the Scorecard with Congressional Members and staff, and urge them to use it as a tool to evaluate the JCPOA.Feel free to email them a copy!

Those who attended the Mission should receive a separate email shortly with a list of their meetings.


Sample phone text:
I am calling to urge [Senator/Representative] [Last Name] to vote against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran. This agreement will serve to enrich Tehran while enabling them to acquire and develop nuclear weapons with international support.

[See "Further Details" below for a list of some of the points covered in our Scorecard]
 
 
 
 
U.S. Senate (Local Members) Contact Information
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)202-224-3224
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)202-224-4451
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY)202-224-6542


U.S. House of Representatives Contact Information
You can find contact details for your local Representative here.
You can find a directory of all House Members here.
Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)202-225-5751
Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ)202-225-4671
Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ)202-225-7919
Representative Dan Donovan (R-NY)202-225-3371
Representative Steve Israel (D-NY)202-225-3335
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)202-225-7944
Representative Pete King (R-NY)202-225-7896
Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY)202-225-4365
Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY)202-225-3965
Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY)202-225-3461
Representative José Serrano (D-NY)202-225-4361
Representative Grace Meng (D-NY)202-225-2601
Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY)202-225-2464
Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY)202-225-2361
Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY)202-225-6506
Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)202-225-5936
Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY)202-225-5441
Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY)202-225-6231
Representative Chris Gibson (R-NY)202-225-5614
Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)202-225-5635
Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY)202-225-5076
Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY)202-225-5516
 
 
 
 
U.S. Senate Contact Information
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)202-224-4944
Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)202-224-3324
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)202-224-5653
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY)202-224-6441
Senator Mark Begich (D-AK)202-224-3004
Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)202-224-5852
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)202-224-2823
Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)202-224-5721
Senator John Boozman (R-AR)202-224-4843
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)202-224-3553
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)202-224-2315
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)202-224-3154
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)202-224-3441
Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD)202-224-4524
Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE)202-224-2441
Senator Robert Casey, Jr (D-PA)202-224-6324
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)202-224-3521
Senator Daniel Coats (R-IN)202-224-5623
Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK)202-224-5754
Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS)202-224-5054
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)202-224-2523
Senator Christopher Coons (D-DE)202-224-5042
Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)202-224-3344
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)202-224-2934
Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)202-224-6142
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)202-224-5922
Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN)202-224-4814
Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL)202-224-2152
Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY)202-224-3424
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)202-224-3841
Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE)202-224-6551
Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ)202-224-4521
Senator Al Franken (D-MN)202-224-5641
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)202-224-5972
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)202-224-3744
Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC)202-224-6342
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)202-224-3254
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)202-224-5251
Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)202-224-5521
Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)202-224-2043
Senator Dean Heller (R-NV)202-224-6244
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI)202-224-6361
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)202-224-2551
Senator James Inhofe (R-OK)202-224-4721
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)202-224-3643
Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE)202-224-4224
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)202-224-5842
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)202-224-5323
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)202-224-4024
Senator Angus King, Jr (I-ME)202-224-5344
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL)202-224-2854
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)202-224-3244
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)202-224-5824
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)202-224-4242
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)202-224-5444
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)202-224-6221
Senator Joe, Manchin (D-WV)202-224-3954
Senator Edward Markey (D-MA)202-224-2742
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)202-224-2235
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)202-224-6154
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY)202-224-2541
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)202-224-4744
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)202-224-3753
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)202-224-4654
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)202-224-6521
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)202-224-6665
Senator Christopher Murphy (D-CT)202-224-4041
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)202-224-2621
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)202-224-5274
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)202-224-4343
Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)202-224-3353
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)202-224-2353
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)202-224-4642
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)202-224-3542
Senator James Risch (R-ID)202-224-2752
Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS)202-224-4774
Senator John Rockefeller IV (D-WV)202-224-6472
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)202-224-3041
Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT)202-224-5141
Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)202-224-3934
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC)202-224-6121
Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL)202-224-4124
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)202-224-2841
Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL)202-224-5744
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)202-224-4822
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)202-224-2644
Senator John Thune (R-SD)202-224-2321
Senator Patrick Toomey (R-PA)202-224-4254
Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)202-224-5941
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)202-224-6621
Senator David Vitter (R-LA)202-224-4623
Senator John Walsh (D-MT)202-224-2651
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)202-224-2023
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)202-224-4543
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)202-224-2921
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS)202-224-6253
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)202-224-5244
 
 
 
 
Further Details
(If asked:) Iran is the most active State Sponsor of Terrorism, and if allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, it will completely destabilize the Middle East and pose a near-existential threat to the United States. This deal will give Iran the political cover, economic stability, and international leeway to develop nuclear weapons without the necessary checks to prevent it. 

Some of the drastic flaws of the deal include:
  • Lack of true "anywhere, anytime" inspections. International inspectors could have to wait for 24 days to get access to suspect nuclear sites in Iran.
  • The lifting of international arms embargoes in 5-8 years, allowing Iran to eventually buy and sell conventional weapons on the open market.
  • Most crippling sanctions are released immediately on implementation day, rather than being "phased off" based on Iranian compliance. Over $100 billion in frozen bank assets will be made available to Iran on day one, making a "snapback" of sanctions highly ineffective.
  • The bulk of the nuclear WMD infrastructure is left intact and allows further research and development on WMD and delivery systems.
  • Lack of clarity on whether Iran has to answer for its work on prior weaponization efforts before the release of sanctions.
 
 
 
 
Paid for by NORPAC
 
 

--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing. 

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 

Jerusalem Post editorial: Don’t parole Pollard


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <imra@imra.org.il>
Date: Thu, Jul 30, 2015 at 6:02 PM
Subject: Jerusalem Post editorial: Don't parole Pollard



Jerusalem Post editorial: Don't parole Pollard
There is something suspect in the timing of the news of Pollard's release.
Jonathan Pollard
By JPOST EDITORIAL 07/30/2015 23:15
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Jerusalem-Post-editorial-Dont-parole-Pollard-410718

Last week, screaming headlines were generated worldwide by breaking news in The Wall Street Journal that the US was preparing to release Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard after 30 years in prison. This announcement, predictably, unleashed a tidal wave of media coverage.

A subsequent announcement a few days later officially confirming imminent parole for Pollard added to the deluge of reports, which continue unabated.

There is something suspect in the timing of these news stories.

Jerusalem's rejection of Pollard's release as intended to mitigate Israel's displeasure with the disastrous Iranian nuclear pact was predictable.

However, denials by US officials, claiming that Pollard's release is unrelated to the Iranian deal were less predictable.

There were simply too many denials, at too high a level and employing too strident a tone to be credible.

Clearly, the media frenzy about Pollard occurs precisely when the Obama administration needs headlines diverted away from the Iranian deal. The public's attention instead has become focused on a subject that many love to hate: Israel.

No one loves a spy. Everyone hates an Israeli spy. Pollard, who has been viciously bashed in the media for nearly three decades, is hated more than most.

News of his impending release on parole has revived the vilification of Pollard to levels which have not been seen since his arrest 30 years ago, and along with him, the vilification of Israel.

This, despite the now-documented record, bolstered by newly declassified materials and testimony by ranking American officials which show that Pollard's life sentence was "excessive" and "unjust."

Considering the injustice, one has to wonder why Pollard is being paroled after 30 years instead of being set free.

Parole is not freedom. It is, by definition, conditional release, which can be revoked at any time, for any number of very complex and often inscrutable reasons, including thinly veiled political motives.

The Jerusalem Post was the first to report that the life sentence that Pollard received after his arrest in 1985 is a 45-year sentence, not 30 years, as a life sentence is defined today.

That means that under the terms of his parole, Pollard will have the balance of a 45-year sentence hanging over his head. He can be rearrested and sent back to prison for another 15 years – with all the accompanying screaming headlines, at any time for the next decade and a half.

It would be naïve not to suspect that in a case so politically charged as this one, that the conditions of his parole may be set up to be so restrictive and so complex as to invite or even guarantee failure.

Given that the announcements of Pollard's impending release on parole have generated such a media backlash, replete with Israel-bashing and Pollard-bashing, just imagine what a field day his return to prison would be for the world media.

No reason would have to be given for his rearrest. It could be done on any pretext for any number of undeclared and unsubstantiated reasons, at any time that the US decides to exert pressure on Israel. As the US has repeatedly demonstrated, Pollard is an easy means to foment world opinion against Israel.

Pollard is the only person in the history of the US to receive a life sentence for spying for an ally.

In a recent interview, former CIA Chief James Woolsey again confirmed the excessiveness of Pollard's punishment: "Spies from friendly countries, like the Philippines and Greece, normally stay in prison in the US for just a few years. Under 10 years. Keeping Pollard for 30 years was excessive."

Woolsey said that Pollard should be free to return home to Israel, because he no longer poses any threat to the US.

"The reason one would keep a convicted spy in the United States is because [of] the information he had...." Woolsey stated unequivocally that Pollard's 30-year-old knowledge poses no risk and that Israel is a friend of America.

US Attorney-General Loretta Lynch said it all when she recently confirmed that Pollard has served his time in full.

Parole is just too convenient a tactic for continuing to keep Israel off balance while holding Pollard hostage for another 15 years.

Pollard does not deserve parole. He deserves to be set free. ________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

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--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing. 

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog.