WHAT ARE OUR COMMUNITY AND POLITICAL LEADERS SAYING?

My view is that 20 years is enough . . . and at this point I think he’s served long enough.
– FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE CIA JAMES WOOLSEY

I support clemency only if three conditions are met: no danger is posed to society, real contrition is shown and the sentence is disproportionate to others who have committed similar crimes. Pollard fits that bill.
–UNITED STATES SENATOR CHARLES SCHUMER

He has suffered enough . . . Now is the time for human compassion.
–ELIE WIESEL, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER

Mr. Pollard did commit a serious crime and he deserved to be punished for his action.  However, after reviewing the facts of the case and receiving multiple classified briefings on this matter, I believe that he has served a sentence that far exceeds the appropriate term for the crime he has committed.
–CONGRESSMAN ANTHONY WEINER

I think that given comparative sentences . . . his sentence is way beyond the sentence served by other people that have been convicted of the same offense.
–FORMER FEDERAL PROSOCUTER AND NEW YORK CITY MAYOR RUDOLPH GIULIANI

I continue to favor clemency for Mr. Pollard because I think the sentence is excessive considering all the facts.
–UNITED STATES SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER

We are writing to express support for freedom of Jonathan Pollard... We urge your support on humanitarian grounds.
– CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR AMERICAN JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS

The National Council of Young Israel maintains daily contact with Mr. Pollard, and we have visited him in federal prison numerous times. Our strong views in favor of commutation and clemency for Jonathan Pollard are well known.
– Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, Esq., National President
– Rabbi Pesach Lerner, D.Adm., Executive Vice President
– NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL

As a lawyer and a minister, as well as a former judge and C.E.O. of the NAACP, I have rarely encountered a case in which government arbitrariness was so clear cut and inexcusable.  Indeed, a comparison of sentences given to individuals convicted of similar crimes demonstrates that Mr. Pollard was singled out for punishment in excess of what others have received, including individuals convicted of aiding our nation’s enemies.  As inexcusable as Mr. Pollard’s acts were, he was never accused of treason or harming our nation. His crime was limited to aiding a close ally and this should have mitigated against such a harsh punishment.
–DR. BENJAMIN L. HOOKS, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NAACP (THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE)

The fact is that in the numerous cases of espionage on behalf of countries allied with the United States, none of the individuals involved received a sentence even remotely close to life, as has been given to Jonathan Pollard.  Indeed, Mr. Pollard has already served more time than anybody convicted of a similar offense and twice the median sentence.
–FATHER ROBERT F. DRINAN, S.J., GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER

We call upon all caring individuals... to convey the message to President Bush, that Mr. Pollard has served long enough and that the time has come to free him.
– Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Agudath Israel of America

I served in the Senate and the Intelligence Committee when Jonathan Pollard was arrested and convicted of espionage towards the United States. I am convinced that Mr. Pollard has expressed the appropriate remorse and served adequate time and should be considered for parole or pardon.
– Former United States Senator Dennis DeConcini

Pollard, in jail after so many years, suggests a travesty in justice.
– United States Senator Frank Lautenberg

The Union of American Hebrew Congregations overwhelmingly urges that Jonathan Pollard's sentence be commuted to time served. Jonathan has already been incarcerated for a much longer period of time than would represent a typical sentence for an offense comparable to his.
– RABBI ALEXANDER M. SCHINDLER, UNION OF AMERICAN HEBREW CONGREGATIONS

I believe that Mr. Pollard’s sentence should be commuted to time already-served on humanitarian grounds.  Mr. Pollard pled guilty to spying for Israel, a friend and ally to the United States.  In light of his guilty plea, and his cooperation with the government, Mr. Pollard’s continued imprisonment should be reconsidered.
–FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR CAROL MOSELEY-BRAUN