Convicted Israel spy Jonathan Pollard could be released early

July 26, 2015 00:21

The US government anticipates releasing convicted spy for Israel Jonathan Pollard in November 2015 when he is up for parole, or perhaps even earlier if legally possible, US officials said Friday.

The move, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, could be viewed as an effort to placate the Israeli government, which has long called for Pollard's release, at a time when the Obama administration is seeking to keep Israel from actively scuttling the nuclear deal with Iran.

But multiple officials insisted that it had nothing to do with the Iran deal but rather was a recognition that Pollard met the conditions for release and noted that the final decision is up to an independent parole commission.

"Pollard's status will be determined by the United States Parole Commission according to standard procedures. There is absolutely zero linkage between Pollard's status and foreign policy considerations," according to Alistair Baskey, an NSC spokesperson.

Pollard, who was convicted in 1987, is eligible for parole this November. Officials said Pollard has been a model prisoner during his term and the belief is the classified information he once possessed no longer poses a danger to the US.

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