For the last 25 years since I learned of Jonathan Pollard's story, I have read everything available on the subject and that is not an exaggeration. I even read the Blitzer book, which did him no favors, and the one written by his former father-in-law. I saw the 60 Minutes interview he gave from prison before his sentencing. I read everything on the official website and fact-checked everything. There is not much anyone else can tell me about Jonathan Pollard that I don't already know.
One thing I noticed that remained consistent over time. For every report and interview done in the press, there were standard accusatory and outright lying comments trotted out to malign his character and turn public opinion against him.
You can bet that the Alphabet people have bots to search out and comment anywhere, anytime something is printed with his name in it. Both my blog and Shirat Devorah's blog (where I left a link) received one such comment with a direction to a Wikipedia page made especially for the purpose of discrediting Jonathan Pollard. Somebody is scared. Do they have reason to be?
Fear God, not man. These kind of people have ample reason to fear God - a lot!
I must admit over the course of the years since Pollard was arrested and convicted, I like so many believed much of what was reported about him. Also, what was reported is how he never showed remorse for what he did - this was another common narrative pushed at the time. It is clear that the intent of the Jew haters in the US government at the time was to simply punish him because he was a Jew, and by extension Israel. It was always dangled above us from the US when it came to the relationship, and constant groveling to have him released. Over time, I came to realize that although he did commit a crime, he was completely railroaded when it came to justice and punishment. Well, Hashem gave him the ultimate reward by enabling him and his late wife to finally come home to Eretz Yisrael. Regardless what anyone says or thinks, he is a true warrior of Israel.
ReplyDeleteWhat about his handler Rafi Eitam? Did end up revealing anything of significance? Not necessarily about Pollard, but about how he was handled? Years, when I suggested on a Pollard Facebook group that perhaps, certain Israeli officials preferred Pollard to remain incarcerated, the page owner did not seem at all pleased. But I am not sure why. Because he was concerned the page was being monitored? Because he thought this was a crazy conspiracy theory? No idea.
ReplyDeleteRafi Eitan famously said he should have put a bullet through Pollard's head. It's not a conspiracy theory, but a conspiracy fact.
DeleteWell, you can't bet more pointed than that. I'm still waiting for a big reveal from Pollard about who wanted him to stay in prison and why. I guess I missed it.
DeleteThings were written across the years. Probably no point bringing it all up now. Here is one: https://www.jonathanpollard.org/2004/062004.htm and you can google "Dark Secrets in Pollard Affair". Those are just two I took the time to look up by googling "israeli government does not want pollard free". The jonathanpollard.org site is the most comprehensive archive. Chamish probably wrote about it, too, and may have listed more names.
DeleteHope that helps. Not entirely sure exactly what you are looking for.