Decades after their parents were executed for espionage, the sons of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are pushing for their mother’s exoneration based on a recently declassified memo. The memo, written by a top U.S. government codebreaker who decrypted Soviet communications during the Cold War, concludes that Ethel knew about her husband’s activities but did not engage in any espionage work herself. This assessment contradicts the narrative that Ethel was a spy and adds to the questions surrounding the criminal case against the couple.
Historians have long debated Ethel Rosenberg’s role in the espionage case, with some arguing that she was an active participant in her husband’s spy network, while others believe she had no direct involvement in espionage. The recently revealed memo from Meredith Gardner, a linguist and codebreaker, provides insight into the belief that Ethel knew of Julius’ work but did not partake in it due to her ill health. Despite this assessment, Ethel was still put on trial with her husband, ultimately leading to their conviction and execution.
The Meeropol brothers, Robert and Michael, who have worked tirelessly for years to clear their mother’s name, consider the memo a smoking gun that proves Ethel’s innocence. They have urged President Joe Biden to issue a formal proclamation stating that she was wrongly convicted and executed based on flawed evidence. The brothers obtained the memo through a Freedom of Information Act request and see it as a crucial piece of documentation that supports their mother’s innocence.
While some historians maintain that Ethel Rosenberg was involved in the conspiracy to commit espionage, the Meeropols adamantly dispute these claims, pointing to evidence that suggests she was never considered a spy by the Soviets and had no active role in espionage activities. The release of the memo has reignited the debate surrounding Ethel’s role in the case and may prompt a reevaluation of her conviction. The Meeropols feel a sense of relief that the memo has been made public, believing it to be a significant step towards exonerating their mother.
The memo, written soon after Ethel Rosenberg’s arrest, sheds light on the complex dynamics of the Soviet spy ring operating in the U.S. during the Cold War. While some historians argue that Ethel was aware of her husband’s activities and supportive of his cause, others maintain that she was not directly involved in espionage. The Meeropols have long sought to challenge the narrative that portrayed their mother as a spy and hope that the recent revelations will pave the way for her exoneration. The release of the memo has reignited interest in the case and raised questions about the validity of Ethel Rosenberg’s conviction.
