Jonathan Pollard
Photo: AP
Pollard activists break into Rice's hotel
Activists for release of American-Israeli spy reach floor of US secretary of state's room. Three arrested by police. Activists say: 'Rice preaches to us to release terrorists who murdered civilians while Pollard is imprisoned for 22 years
Several activists for the release of Jonathan Pollard reached the floor of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's hotel room in Jerusalem on Monday evening and called on the United States to release him.
Police forces have removed the activists from the hotel and detained three of them for questioning.
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Around 8 p.m. the group of activists entered the hotel and several of them went up to the floor Rice is staying on. Near her room they were stopped by a metal detector, but two broke through and managed to get within several feet of her room and additional security personnel were called in to remove them from the scene.
The activists said: "Rice came here to preach to us that we should release terrorists who have murdered civilians, while the US has imprisoned Pollard for 22 years. His health continues to deteriorate and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert must demand his release before it's too late."
The Committee to Free Jonathan Pollard disassociated itself from this evening's incidents. "We only employ legal means for our cause, but we can understand those activists who could not take it anymore."
The Jerusalem police said in response: "The hotel is open for everyone. Nine activists entered the hotel and went through the security check at the entrance. They did not enter as a group but individually and then grouped at the entrance to Secretary Rice's hall. There they were stopped by security personnel. Three of them were arrested and taken for questioning. The remaining six were removed from the hotel."
The police added that there are other guests on Rice's floor and that only the immediate area of her room is closed off.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
