Three More Months of Freeze, in Exchange for Pollard?

[Irish Zionist]

My question is, is it worth the suffering of so many Jews?


http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/139710
Despite repeated announcements by Binyamin Netanyahu that the freeze will end in six days as planned, a new scenario has arisen: the release of Jonathan Pollard in exchange for an extension of the construction freeze.

 According to the deal being talked about in Jerusalem, the freeze would be extended for three months, while Pollard would be freed just a few weeks shy of his 25th anniversary in prison.

The idea was not initiated in Washington, but rather by staffers in Netanyahu’s office. Army Radio reported Monday morning that Netanyahu asked an unnamed person who specializes in the Middle East conflict to find out if the Obama Administration would be interested in the idea.  The person in fact made queries, but it is not known what, if any, response he received.

The Prime Minister’s Bureau has denied the report, issuing this statement: “We know of no query to the Americans on this matter. The Prime Minister has not changed his mind, and the freeze will end on Sept. 26.”

Pollard’s wife Esther has not commented on the report. It is known that the Pollards objected to the Pollard-Barghouti exchange that was floated several years ago, though the deal could be carried out without their consent.

Danny Dayan, head of the Yesha Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria, said, “The very idea is an ugly form of blackmail. Should we also agree to give up the Golan Heights in exchange for Gilad Shalit?”

The last time Netanyahu reached an understanding regarding Pollard with an American president was with Bill Clinton – a Democrat, like Obama – in late 1998 during the Wye Plantation talks. Netanyahu agreed to release 500 PA terrorists from prison in exchange for Pollard’s release, in the framework of the Wye agreement in which Israel agreed to withdraw from over 13% of Judea and Samaria. However, at the last minute, Clinton reneged regarding Pollard – though Israel still released the terrorists.

[MassuhDGoodName]

The Israeli leaders just keep on getting stupider and stupider!     

[Zelhar]

I hope Chaim would refer to this issue on the next show.

I think such a deal which is very unlikely anyway, has too much resemblance to the Arab terrorists extortion tactics. If the Americans are really ready to free Pollard they should just let him go and not use him as a bargain leverage.

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

This isn't stupid on Bibi's part - this is smart!   He is very adept at deceiving the Israeli public.  He realizes the people are fuming over his treachery with the building freeze - that he even enacted it in the first place and how he promised not to extend it.   There might be massive opposition (even more this time around) if he extends it.   On the other hand, he knows that in order to surrender to the Arabs, he has to stop construction and surrender before it is ready to begin again.   He thinks he can not only buy himself 3 months to work out a surrender deal but that he will nullify the local opposition to his extension of the freeze by "justifying it" with a supposed 'deal' to free Pollard in return (as if the americans are forcing him to freeze construction).  

The national public who most strongly opposes the building freeze are the same sector most strongly in favor of freeing Jonathan Pollard.   So they may be less violently opposed and less willing to break the law with civil disobedience in response to an additional freeze if they are "promised" that Pollard will be freed in reward of their "patience and support to the Prime minister."  

Of course when the "peace agreement" is signed with Abbas, construction in Judea and Samaria will then be permanently forbidden, and the Israeli regime will be looking to toss the Jews out of there.   Not only that, but the Americans will pull a Bill clinton and never actually release Pollard - not that Bibi actually cares to free him.   If anything, Pollard would come home as a national hero and have the ability to possibly unite the national camp - Bibi's and the entire establishment's worst nightmare!

[IsraeliGovtAreKapos]

Communists always knew how to decieve and murder their own population. Bibi is a professional Stailnist.

[TheCoon]

Obviously they should keep building and just demand Pollard be released. No trade-off needed. Just demand he be released.

[david1967]

This seems highly unlikely and illogical.  For only three, more months of a building freeze, the U.S will release such a high-profile spy?  As others have said here, Netanyahu doesn't want him, since it will only strengthen the right-wing.  Netanyahu's policies are currently not in line with the nationalist camp in Israel.

[Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks]

If Israel were wise, it would do taqqiyah and promise to surrender Judea and Samaria in exchange for Pollard--and lie about it.

[JTFenthusiast2]

The only answer is vigorous expansion and settlement into Judea and Samaria (independent of what any of these goons say)