Pollard, a former intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy, was arrested in 1985, eventually pleading guilty to giving Israel classified documents.
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There is speculation that the July announcement of Pollard’s release, just days after the West and Iran struck a nuclear deal, was meant as a conciliatory gesture towards Israel, which vehemently opposes the accord.
The White House has said that it has no intention of altering the conditions of Pollard’s parole, and even friends and supporters say they don’t know exactly what’s next for him.
Pollard’s lawyers have said that they have secured a job and housing for him in the NY area, without elaborating, the Associated Press news agency reported.
For now, Pollard has moved to NY with his second wife, whom he married while in jail. He told Wallace he didn’t deserve a life sentence.
At the time of his arrest, Pollard had clearance to access top-secret information as an intelligence specialist, and worked as an analyst who looked into terrorist activities and instability – mainly in North America and the Caribbean.
Pollard will be required to wear an electronic bracelet so his movements can be monitored at all times.
Pollard was ultimately released through the regular parole process.
The U.S. Justice Department helped smooth the way for the freeing of Pollard, who was already eligible for mandatory parole in November, by declining to raise objections that could have delayed his release. A recurring theme was that the sentence was disproportionate.
He was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in 1987 of passing reams of classified information to Israel.
“Blessed is he who frees the imprisoned”, said President Reuven Rivlin, using a phrase taken from Jewish prayer that many others would use throughout the day.
Pollard, vis-à-vis his attorneys, thanked the thousands of people who have labored for his release and prayed for him and his wife. Pollard wanted to join his wife Anne Henderson Pollard in Israel but the parole board will not permit him to move out of the country.
“This is something that Prime Minister Netanyahu has regularly raised”, Rhodes said. “But again, the president does not have any plans to alter the terms of his parole”. He referred questions to the Justice Department. “The Israeli prime served his full term”. “Despite the serious consequences that may follow such a decision, including being permanently barred from returning to the United States, he is willing to undertake this extraordinary measure”.
Minister Uri Ariel, a former chairman of the same parliamentary lobby, termed Pollard’s release a holiday. “We wish Jonathan and his family, in their reunion, long and prosperous years ahead, health and peace”, Rivlin said. “After three long and hard decades, Jonathan has been reunited with his family”. The close surveillance mandated by his parole conditions also ensures that Pollard will not enjoy much privacy.
Pollard appeared relaxed and pleased to be out of prison.
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Hours later, as the sun rose over the prison near Raleigh, numerous cameraman still stood along the freeway outside the prison, unaware that the object of their stakeout was long gone and already starting his new life in NY.
