‘I will ask Obama, man to man, for Pollard’s release,’ Peres says

In special interview with Israel Hayom, President Shimon Peres says he plans to ask U.S. President Barack Obama for convicted spy Jonathan Pollard’s release „based on humanitarian grounds” • On Iran, Peres says, „President Obama will not hesitate to protect America.”

In the afternoon, Peres was given a special tour of the Pentagon and met with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey. The three leaders discussed ways to strengthen the strategic cooperation between Israel and the U.S., and also talked about a series of security issues on the agenda.

“They consulted on the many areas of cooperation and the common challenges faced by the United States and Israel in the Middle East, including the ongoing violence in Syria, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Middle East Peace Process, and U.S. commitment to preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge,” a U.S. Defense Department statement said. „Secretary Panetta also congratulated President Peres on being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom this week.”

On Tuesday, the president was expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and on Wednesday, shortly before the award ceremony, Peres will meet with Obama.

In addition to the many political and security issues the two are expected to discuss, Peres plans to again raise the issue of convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard’s release. As of Tuesday, Pollard has spent 9,700 days in prison in the United States. Upon his arrival at the Blair House, the presidential guest house, in Washington on Monday night, Peres said that he will personally appeal to Obama regarding Pollard’s release.

„Speaking man to man, I would like to ask Obama to release Pollard based on humanitarian grounds.”

The president added, „I am aware of all the problems associated with pardoning [Pollard]. This is not a continuation of legal proceedings, there are other considerations beyond this and I will explain this to the president.”

Israel Hayom’s full interview with Peres will be published Friday.