Pollard & Jerusalem

On the eve of Bush's visit to Israel, there was brief hope that we could finally be rid of Olmert and see the back of the most incompetent and corrupt government in Israel's brief history.

The leaders of coalition props Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu said they would walk out of the coalition if Olmert discussed dividing Jerusalem or the core issues of 1967 borders and returning refugees.

It took less than 24 hours for them to backtrack.

Lieberman changed his mind, saying he didn't want to make waves during the Bush visit. (Duh!)

Isn't that the exact time he ought to be making waves? Like showing Bush and the world's press that there are people (and parties) in Israel that do NOT trust Mahmoud Abbas, that do NOT agree to the West Bank being turned into Gaza II and that do NOT agree that Olmert has the mandate to agree anything on their behalf?

As for Shas, their backtrack was truly absurd.

They say that if Jonathan Pollard is freed after 22 years in a US prison, they will agree to Olmert discussing Jerusalem's status with Mahmoud Abbas.

What indescribable piffle!

Does Shas spiritual leader Ovadia Yosef think Pollard took all those risks and gave up 22 years of freedom to become a means of dismantling the Jewish homeland???

Pollard's continuing imprisonment is the greatest affront to human rights and civil liberties that currently exists in the world today. It makes Mugabe's Zimbabwe look like a paragon of liberty! The median stretch for his type of conviction was 5 years. After 22 years he is still in prison for one reason only: for being a Jew!

To suggest that Pollard's release should become a bargaining chip for the surrender of Jerusalem is tantamount to Nelson Mandela being offered freedom from Robben Island in exchange for the return of white slavers to Africa.