[ad_1]
Jonathan Pollard spent 30 years behind bars in the United States because he spied for Israel. The issue weighed heavily on the relations between the two countries. Now Pollard has landed in Israel, possibly as a parting gift from Trump.
Former US secret service agent Jonathan Pollard, arrested for decades for espionage for Israel, ended up in Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met personally with Pollard and his wife Esther at the Tel Aviv airport. “Welcome back,” the head of government was quoted in a statement from his office. “Good thing you got home.” A video showed Pollard kissing Israeli soil.
Years of turmoil between Israel and the United States
As an American Jew, Pollard spied for Israel in the 1980s while working for the US Navy.As a civilian intelligence analyst, he had sold military secrets. Among other things, it provided Israel with satellite images of parts of Tunisia, which the country is said to have used to attack the Palestinian PLO.
In 1985, Pollard was arrested after unsuccessfully seeking asylum at the Israeli embassy in Washington. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a long prison term.
The issue embarrassed Israel and strained relations with the United States for years. Pollard has been sentenced to life in prison. Time and again, the Pentagon and intelligence officials spoke out against his firing. But after 30 years in federal prison, Pollard was released in November 2015. A five-year probation followed, ending in November this year. This, in turn, paved the way for his departure from the United States.
Departure by private jet
Shortly after his release, Prime Minister Netanyahu assured Pollard that Israel was waiting for him. His country will also provide high-quality medical treatment to his wife Esther, who suffers from cancer, the Israeli prime minister promised. Pollard was granted citizenship during his incarceration in the United States.
After leaving the country on a private plane owned by American billionaire and casino entrepreneur Sheldon Adelson, the 66-year-old man and his wife were delighted to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Esther Pollard also kissed Israeli soil. Later, the ex-spy thanked Netanyahu and the Jewish people for supporting him. “We look forward to becoming productive citizens as soon as possible and continuing our lives here,” Pollard said.
A parting gift from Donald Trump?
Pollard’s release can be seen as a diplomatic gift to Netanyahu from outgoing US President Donald Trump. The two were close allies on the international stage. In the past four years, Trump has recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and had the US embassy relocate there. With the mediation of the US, Israel and several Arab countries also reached agreements to normalize diplomatic relations.
With information from Benjamin Hammer, ARD-Studio Tel Aviv
