REPORT: U.S. Preparing to Release Convicted Israeli Spy Jonathan Pollard

The Obama administration is preparing to release convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, according to U.S. officials, some of whom hope the move will smooth relations with Israel in the wake of the Iran nuclear deal, reports WSJ.

Pollard  was arrested on charges of spying for Israel in 1985 and later sentenced to life in prison.

Some U.S. officials are pushing for Pollard’s release in a matter of weeks. Others expect it could take months, possibly until his parole consideration date in November, says WSJ.

Under sentencing laws at the time he was convicted,  Pollard has to be considered for parole after 30 years. The Bureau of Prisons website currently lists his possible release date as Nov. 21, which is the date the federal parole commission is slated to consider whether to end his sentence.

A parole hearing for Pollard was held in early July.

Best response:

Right, meanwhile Chelsea Manning will remain in prison and Snowden will be forced to stay in Russia. But Pollard... https://t.co/hfZjEcDgNM

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) July 24, 2015

  -RW