Jonathan Pollard, the former US Navy analyst convicted of spying for Israel, arrived at Ben Gurion Airport together with his wife, Esther, early this morning. Coming out of the airplane, Pollard got on his hands and knees to kiss the tarmac in the Jewish tradition of kissing the ground of the holy land. The Pollard couple arrived aboard a private jet owned by US American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a major backer of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Awaiting him at the tarmac, Netanyahu said, “Now you can start life anew, with freedom and happiness. Now you are home.” Pollard responded by saying, “We are excited to be home at last. There is no one who is more proud of this country or its leader than we are. We hope to become productive citizens as soon as possible.”

The Office of the Prime Minister posted on Twitter a short clip of Pollard’s arrival at the airport, saying, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Jonathan and Esther Pollard upon their arrival in Israel, early this morning. The Prime Minister was moved to meet them on the tarmac next to the plane where they recited the Shehecheyanu blessing (the traditional Jewish blessing for when something new happens) together. Prime Minister Netanyahu gave Jonathan Pollard an Israeli identity card. The Prime Minister told the Pollards that it is good that they have come home."

President Reuven Rivlin tweeted, “Welcome home to Jonathan and Esther Pollard!’’ Defense Minister Benny Gantz tweeted a photo of the Pollard couple aboard the airplane, writing in Hebrew, "Jonathan and Esther welcome home!"