Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

New York—Thirty national Jewish organizations that are members of the Conference of Presidents joined in a pre-Passover appeal to President Obama led by Conference leaders Richard Stone, chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman, requesting that President Obama release Pollard prior to his reaching his 10,000th day of imprisonment, which will fall on April 8, 2013. After wishing the president a successful trip to the Middle East, the leaders respectfully and urgently requested that the president “act on the commutation of his sentence to time served before this milestone is reached. Pollard, whose health has deteriorated, has expressed remorse and regret repeatedly.” 

They also noted, “Many leading American citizens of every faith and position have spoken publicly, including those that were involved in his prosecution. Among those who have called for his release are former director of the CIA, James Woolsey, former undersecretary of defense, Lawrence Korb, former secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, and former secretary of state, George Schultz. We add our voice to theirs, as we have in the past, to ask that you take the steps necessary to expedite the review process you have mentioned and to facilitate the release of Mr. Pollard in an act of both justice and humanity,” said Stone and Hoenlein.

Among the signatory organizations are: Ameinu, American Friends of Likud, American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, America-Israel Friendship League, American Sephardi Federation, American Zionist Movement, AMIT, Anti-Defamation League, ARZA, B’nai B’rith International, Bnai Zion, Emunah of America, Hadassah, Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Jewish Community Centers Association, Jewish National Fund, Mercaz USA, NA’AMAT USA, NCSJ Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia, National Council of Young Israel, Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbinical Council of America, Religious Zionists of America, Union for Reform Judaism, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, WIZO, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, Workmen’s Circle, World ORT USA, and Zionist Organization of America. More are expected to add their names.