Jonathan Pollard and his wife Esther in the first photograph following his release from prison. (photo from Justice for Jonathan Pollard via jns.org)
After spending 30 years in a U.S. federal prison, American-Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard was freed on parole on Nov. 20, one day ahead of schedule to allow him to observe Shabbat.
“The people of Israel welcome the release of Jonathan Pollard,” Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “As someone who has raised the issue for many years with American presidents, I have dreamt of this day. After three long and hard decades, Jonathan is finally reunited with his family. I wish Jonathan a quiet and joyous Shabbat.”
Pollard was the only person in U.S. history sentenced to life in prison over spying for an American ally (Israel). Advocates in the Jewish community as well as experts in the U.S. intelligence community had long called for his release both due to the severity of his sentence and on the humanitarian grounds of his failing health.
The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) said on Nov. 20 that it is “extraordinarily grateful that Jonathan Pollard is now out of prison and reunited with his family.”
Read more at jns.org.