Israeli President Shimon Peres sent a personal letter to President<br />Barack Obama on Monday, urging Obama to consider granting clemency to<br />Jonathan Pollard, citing the convicted spy's deteriorating health. The<br />White House rejected the appeal saying its position hasn't changed,<br />and that the president has no intention to release Pollard. The<br />president sent the missive after receiving a petition signed by 80<br />MKs, urging Obama to release the Jewish spy, as well as intense<br />pressure from the lobby working to secure Pollard's release ahead of<br />Peres' White House visit planned for June. During that meeting, Peres<br />is expected to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which, the<br />Pollard lobby argues, the president should refuse until the convicted<br />spy is released.
