AIPAC rejects Pollard motion

AIPAC’s executive committee defeated a motion to join the effort to release Jonathan Pollard.The committee, representing the organization’s grassroots as well as the broader Jewish community, considered the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s 2007 action agenda Sunday morning on the eve of the group’s annual policy forum. AIPAC officials spoke against the motion, arguing that involving the organization in efforts on behalf of Pollard, currently serving a life sentence for spying for Israel, would complicate the lobby’s mission to promote a close U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC officials also argued against another motion to change a statement urging the isolation of Hamas until the terrorist groups “accepts” prior peace agreements with Israel to maintaining the isolation until it “fulfills” the agreements; the motion passed.