Jones on Treason

Is it possible that the Israelis have a better knowledge of the Constitution of the United States than does the American envoy Israel? It certainly would seem to from the remarks of Ambassador Richard Jones in respect of Jonathan Pollard, who is serving a life sentence for passing American secrets to the Jewish state. "This is a very emotional issue in the United States," Mr. Jones was quoted by the Associated Press as saying in comments at Bar Ilan University, near Tel Aviv. Of Pollard he added: "I know he was helping a friend but that's what makes it even more emotional for Americans, if a friend would cooperate in aiding and abetting someone who is committing treason against his own country."

It is such a bizarre twisting of the treason clause of the Constitution that one hardly knows where to begin. The founders of America were so concerned about abuse of treason law that they limited how Congress could define it. "Treason against the United States," the Constitution declares, "shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." So while Pollard, in spying for one of America's closest friends, certainly committed a serious crime, treason it was not — by definition. The Israelis are sore as could be over the remarks of Mr. Jones. He must have missed the Constitution during his studies for the foreign service exam.