The American Spectator

America’s best-known Jewish prisoner has passed the 20-year mark of his life term for giving classified information to Israel. Fervently supported by some, vilified by others, Jonathan Jay Pollard, the 50-year-old former United States Navy intelligence analyst, is largely ignored by most American Jews. Though his sentence recommends against parole, he prays for his release. In this exclusive interview, he talks about his case and refers to the federal prison in Butner, North Carolina, as his “gated community.”

p> Q. In 1986, you were pled guilty to one count of passing classified information to Israel and expressed remorse. Who is responsible for your serving more time for this kind of offense than any other American in history? br> A. Unfortunately, I have to say the State of Israel. The political leadership. The Mossad. Not the regular people. And the leadership of American Jewry and those U.S. government officials who exploit this case to call into question both the loyalty of America’s Jews and the value of Israel’s strategic alliance with the U.S. To this long list I must add a number of congressmen and senators who do in fact understand the miscarriage of justice that has taken place in my case yet have chosen to remain silent. /p> p> Q. You believe is at stake than just your imprisonment? br> A. The essence of my case goes to the promise made by George Washington centuries ago, [to] the historic Touro Synagogue, that America’s Jewish citizens will always be treated equally in this new society. My constitutional rights have been grossly violated for political reasons, but principally because I am a Jew. My main accuser was then-Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, who has subsequently admitted that my case was “a very minor matter” that was blown out of all proportion to serve other ends. President Clinton’s Mideast negotiator, Dennis Ross, has also acknowledged… that my sentence was too harsh and that I deserve to be freed unconditionally. Despite these critical admissions by key officials, here I am, still sitting in prison. In my case, the legal process has sadly been totally corrupted. This is not just me claiming this; it is Weinberger and Ross — two people who definitely know the inside story — saying it for all to hear. They have nothing to gain from their candor, yet they couldn’t be any clearer. /p>