Five years after his release from prison, the US Justice Department has decided not to extend the parole it imposed on Jonathan Pollard. What this means in practice is that it lifted the restrictions on the Jewish American, who spent 30 years in prison after being convicted in 1985 of spying for Israel. Pollard can now leave the United States and immigrate to Israel. Ever since his release from prison in November 1985, Pollard has been under harsh restrictions, requiring him to wear an electronic surveillance device at all times and remain in his house at night. Furthermore, he was not allowed to give any interviews to the press or even leave New York.

Following the Justice Department’s announcement, Pollard released a statement, along with a photo of him cutting off the electronic bracelet that he has been required to wear since his release five years ago. In it, he said, “Thirty years ago, my beloved wife Esther found her way into USP Marion, the highest security prison in the United States, where I was languishing in a dungeon cell three stories underground behind 13 locks and keys. Esther reached out and cut the shackles off of my heart and restored my soul to my life. That is when the fight for my freedom began in earnest (with full authorization from the parole office).”

Anyone who has followed the Pollard case, culminating in his arrest and sentencing, cannot ignore the outrage felt by the heads of the various US espionage agencies that a Jewish citizen of the United States would dare spy for Israel, a country otherwise considered an especially close ally. They wanted to put him in his place. Of course, there were some senior American officials who argued through the years that Pollard’s punishment was excessive. One of these was Lawrence Korb, who served as assistant secretary of defense when Pollard was arrested. This week, Korb told Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that “Israel should have apologized, and Pollard should have gotten seven to 10 years. This was a case of vindictiveness, more than it was about justice.” On the other hand, Korb has reservations about how Pollard became a hero in Israel: “When I visited Israel, I was shocked to see the level of support for him. I certainly believe that he deserves a nice reception. Give him a decent pension, but don’t make a hero out of him. He is not a hero."

In Israel, gratitude over the lifting of these restrictions was forthcoming. Among those who congratulated the Justice Department for its decision were President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rivlin's message to Pollard was “We’re waiting for you at home.” Netanyahu spoke with Pollard by phone, saying, “We are waiting for you, even during the coronavirus, with open arms. You will receive from us the genuine embrace of the people of Israel. I want to congratulate you both that this nightmare is over and you will be able to return home to Israel.” There is no doubt that Netanyahu recognizes the enormous political benefits he stands to reap from the lifting of restrictions on Pollard. After all, Pollard is considered a hero to certain Israelis identified with the political right. That is why Netanyahu is so eager to embrace Pollard and invite him to settle in Israel.