Peres to deliver Knesset petition on Pollard to White House

(JNS.org) — Israeli President Shimon Peres said he will deliver a petition to the White House urging U.S. President Barack Obama to release convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard.

The petition, which was presented to Peres by Labor Member of Knesset (MK) Nachman Shai and HaBayit HaYehudi MK Ayelet Shaked, was signed by an overwhelming 106 out of 120 Knesset members, including Arab MKs.

“As president it is my clear responsibility to voice such clear consensus. I do it with pride and see it as a duty and responsibility,” Peres said, the Times of Israel reported.

Earlier, it was reported that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Israeli peace negotiators that the U.S. would consider releasing Pollard as a condition to the release of the remaining Palestinian terrorist prisoners.

However, on Wednesday, U.S. administration officials said that there is “no chance” that Pollard would be freed in return for the release of Palestinians prisoners, Israel Radio reported.