Convicted Israeli spy will have to remain in the U.S. for five years after his release in November.
President Barack Obama has no intention of altering the terms of Jonathan Pollard\’s parole, the White House announced on Tuesday night. The announcement indicates that that Pollard, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer convicted of spying for Israel, will have to remain in the U.S. for five years after his release from prison in November.
The White House further reiterated that Pollard\’s release has no link to foreign policy considerations.
The U.S. Parole Commission has ruled that Pollard will be released from prison on November 21. Pollard will complete a 30-year sentence despite efforts by successive Israeli governments to secure his early release.
Secretary of State John Kerry said Pollard\’s release is not related to the Iran nuclear deal.
"I haven\’t even had a conversation about it [during the negotiations]. No, not at all," Kerry told reporters as he left a House of Representatives committee hearing on the nuclear agreement on Tuesday.
Israel\’s leaders have strongly objected to the nuclear deal and there has been speculation that Pollard\’s release was arranged to help warm U.S. ties to Israel despite that disagreement.