Despite the denials a few days ago of the US government, it looks like the idea of releasing Jonathan Pollard in exchange for continuation of peace talks via the release of prisoners including Marwan Barghoutti along with a possible construction freeze is back on the table.
With John Kerry back in Israel last night trying to salvage the negotiations, the issue is back in the headlines today. The New York Times has now said it is a possibility of happening.
In addition, I am proud to say that MK Moshe Feiglin (Likud Beyteynu) has spoken out in favor of releasing Pollard for the same reasons I am in favor of it. Feiglin said that Pollard himself has said many times he does not want to be released as part of an exchange of terrorists or in exchange for land... but with Israel being dragged into a situation of paying via a construction freeze and/or releasing terrorists in exchange for the appearance of a peace process and Israel has been stripped of all the values of a normal nation (values of sovereignty, justice,, morals and holiness of life) ever since Oslo - so if anyways we are being led to such a result, so at least Pollard should be free...
That is precisely what I said. I don't think giving up any more prisoners will get us anywhere. Neither will a construction freeze. And I don't think Pollard should be exchanged as part of a deal to release terrorists or give away land... but since we are going to agree to do it anyway, under tremendous international pressure, we might as well get Pollard in return instead of doing it for nothing at all.
Will it happen? Will it not? We'll know soon, I guess...
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