Former US attorney-general Michael Mukasey sent a letter to US President Barack Obama, released Wednesday, calling for Jonathan Pollard's sentence to be commuted to time served: "[Pollard] has not been alleged by anyone to have had any motive to harm the United States. In these circumstances, a life sentence can only be considered utterly disproportionate to the crime," the letter read.
"I had occasion myself to consider life sentences, and indeed to impose them. In more than 18 years on the bench, I imposed such sentences on four defendants," Mukasey said.
RELATED:Crowley: Netanyahu has right to request Pollard's releasePM’s ignoble failure to free Pollard is Obama’s obligationEarlier on Wednesday Esther Pollard said, during an interview with Israel Radio, that Pollard has not yet been informed of Prime Minister Binyamin
Netanyahu's decision to officially request that the US release the
Israeli agent.
According to Pollard's wife, Jonathan is in very ill
health and therefore could not call her so she could "give him the good
news."
Esther Pollard said that Jonathan has been hospitalized in prison three times recently. She added that he had to cancel a visit by Jewish leaders on Tuesday because of his health.
"This good news can give him power to continue," said a tearful Esther Pollard.
Pollard's ex-wife Anne expressed optimism that Netanyahu's official
request to Washington to release the Israeli agent will be successful.
Her comments came in a Wednesday interview on Army Radio.
"Finally what we've waited for 25 years happened," Anne Pollard said.
She added that she always believed "the only way he'd be freed early was through political avenues."
"It's the first time in 25 years I'm completely optimistic Jonathan will be freed," said Anne Pollard.
Netanyahu will issue a public, formal and official call in upcoming days
for US President Barack Obama to release the Israeli agent , the Prime
Minister’s Office announced in a press release Tuesday.
Netanyahu will issue the call at the behest of Pollard, whose wife
Esther delivered him a request from her husband at the Knesset on
Monday.
“I intend to continue to act with determination to free Pollard, both
because of the ethical obligation Israel has toward him and because
Jonathan should have the right to live with his family and rehabilitate
his health after so many years in jail,” Netanyahu said in the press
release.