Tel Aviv, Dec. 30, (dpa/GNA) – Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted of spying for Israel in the United States over 30 years ago, landed in Israel early on Wednesday.
Pollard, 66, and his wife Esther flew from Newark International Airport in New Jersey on a private plane, belonging to Sheldon Adelson, the owner of the high-circulation Israel Hayom newspaper, according to local media.
A video shared by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed the couple descending the steps of the aircraft and kissing the ground upon their arrival in Israel.
Netanyahu greeted them straight off the plane and handed a new identity card to the Texas-born Jewish American, who obtained Israeli citizenship in 1995 while in jail.
“It’s a very moving moment that Jonathan and Esther are home – how good it is that they came home,” Netanyahu said. “Now you can start life anew, with freedom and happiness.”
“We are ecstatic to be home at last after 35 years, and we thank the people and the prime minister of Israel for bringing us home,” Pollard said.
“Noone could be prouder of this country or this prime leader than we are and we hope to become productive citizens as soon and as quickly as possible and to get on with our lives here,” Pollard added.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin tweeted: “Welcome home to Jonathan and Esther Pollard!”
Pollard was arrested in November 1985 and convicted in 1987 for giving Israel classified information while working as a US naval intelligence analyst.
He was sentenced to life in prison and was released on parole in 2015 after 30 years behind bars. The parole terminated last month.
Pollard’s supporters have long argued he has been treated harshly by the US justice system.
Israel admitted in the 1990s that Pollard was its agent and granted him citizenship.
GNA