Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has raised the prospect of the release of former U.S. Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard for Israeli concessions toward the establishment of a Palestinian state over the next year.

Officials acknowledged media reports that the administration of President Barack Obama agreed to discuss the release of Pollard, sentenced to life in prison for relaying classified information to Israel.

The officials said the prospect of Pollard’s release was envisioned as part of an overall agreement in which Israel would guarantee the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

“Pollard was always seen by the United States as closing the [Israeli-Palestinian] deal and nothing less,” an official said. “His release will require far-reaching [Israeli] concessions.”

[According to media reports in Israel, Pollard himself opposes any such deal, considering the use of himself as a bargaining chip to be “shameful”.]

Officials said the administration relayed a willingness to discuss Pollard’s release in March 2014 amid the threat of a breakdown in Israeli-Palestinian talks. They said Secretary of State John Kerry authorized talks on Pollard after he failed to win an Israeli agreement on a U.S. security plan or the release of Israeli Arab insurgents.

“We have been told numerous times by members of the Israeli government
that releasing Pollard could pave the way for significant concessions,” the
official said. “We will now see if this is the case.”

On April 1, Kerry concluded two meetings with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid a breakdown in the U.S.-sponsored negotiations
between the Palestinian Authority and the Jewish state. Officials said Kerry
sought commitments for a range of Israeli concessions, including a freeze on
Jewish construction in most of Jerusalem and the entire West Bank as well as
the release of hundreds of Arab and Palestinian prisoners.

“Kerry wanted an immediate answer from Netanyahu, who said he must first
consult with the Cabinet,” another official said. “If the Cabinet approves
the U.S. conditions, then we could move to the next stage.”

So far, the administration has refused to acknowledge the prospect of
Pollard’s early release. Officials said any decision must be taken by Obama
himself in coordination with the U.S. intelligence community, long opposed
to Pollard’s release.

“First, the president has not made a decision to release Jonathan
Pollard,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said on April 1. “I want
to be very clear about that. Jonathan Pollard was convicted of espionage and
is serving his sentence. I don’t have any further update on his status to
provide today.”

Within hours of Kerry’s departure from Israel, several leading members
of the U.S. Congress said they would oppose the Pollard release. Senate
Intelligence Committee chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Pollard’s
release must depend on Israeli agreement to a Palestinian state and the
resolution of other so-called final status issues.

“It’s one thing if there’s an agreement,” Ms. Feinstein told the U.S.
news website Daily Beast. “It’s another thing totally if there isn’t.”

Officials said the administration wanted to reach an agreement in
principle between Israel and the PA over the establishment of a Palestinian
state by the time the deadline for negotiations expires on April 29. They
said Kerry was considering alternatives, including continuing the talks
through 2015 under an Israeli commitment not to continue construction in
eastern and southern Jerusalem or the West Bank.

“We’re where we are today — and the important thing is to keep the
process moving and find a way to see whether the parties are prepared to
move forward,” Kerry said on April 1 in Brussels. “In the end, this is up to
the parties.”

Netanyahu, whose aides insisted that Pollard could be released by
Passover on April 14, has complained of opposition within his coalition to
the U.S. plan. Several ministers have threatened to vote against such a deal
or leave the coalition if the U.S. plan is approved.

“This is a cynical attempt by Kerry and Netanyahu to add Pollard in
order to justify releasing murderers who will return to terror,” Israeli
Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon said.

  Benjamin Netanyahu, concessions to Palestinians, Israel continue to haggle over Jonathan Pollard, John Kerry, Jonathan Pollard, U.S.