Trump May Let Jonathan Pollard Come To Israel For Embassy Opening
Jonathan Pollard, the American convicted of spying for Israel, leaves a New York court house following his release from prison after 30 years on November 20, 2015. Image by Getty
JERUSALEM (JTA) — President Donald Trump reportedly is considering an Israeli request to allow convicted spy for Israel Jonathan Pollard to come to Israel.
Israeli media quoted officials as saying that the president could potentially bring Pollard to Israel for the dedication of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem later this month. It is not known if Pollard would be allowed to stay in Israel and make aliyah.
Pollard was released after 30 years in prison in 2015. Under the conditions of his parole he is not allowed to visit or live in Israel for at least five years.
Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz spoke about the request on Sunday during an appearance at the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York. “Thanks to President Trump’s brave and just decision, we will be celebrating the embassy move in the coming days,” he said. “In order to make the celebration even greater, I appeal to our friend the president to allow Jonathan Pollard to come to Israel to celebrate with us in Jerusalem. ”
Other conditions of Pollard’s parole include staying in his New York home from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.; to submit any computer he uses for inspection; and to wear a GPS-monitoring device at all times. The device means that Pollard, who is Orthodox, is forced to violate Shabbat observance, his lawyer has said.
Pollard pleaded guilty in 1986 to conspiracy to commit espionage in connection with providing Israeli contacts with hundreds of classified documents he had obtained as a civilian intelligence specialist for the U.S. Navy.
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