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).”
