Jerusalem: US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with Jonathan J. Pollard, an American who served 35 years in prison for espionage on behalf of Israel, at the US Embassy in Jerusalem this past July, as reported by The New York Times on Thursday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Pollard confirmed the meeting to the newspaper, marking the first instance in a decade where a US official had hosted him inside an American government facility since his release. Describing the encounter as 'a friendly meeting,' US officials revealed that Huckabee did not include the meeting in his public schedule. The CIA's station chief in Israel expressed alarm over the occurrence of the meeting.
Pollard expressed gratitude towards Huckabee for supporting his release, highlighting the ambassador's previous advocacy for his freedom. While Pollard mentioned that 'a lot of things' were discussed, he refrained from providing further details. He also expressed no remorse for his espionage activities, accusing the US of withholding intelligence from Israel and criticizing US President Donald Trump for allegedly compromising US interests.
A White House official, along with two individuals briefed on the matter, stated that the administration had not been informed prior to Huckabee's meeting with Pollard, causing concern among senior officials once they became aware. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Thursday that the administration was not aware of the meeting but emphasized that 'the president stands by our ambassador.'
Pollard, 71, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for his espionage activities during a significant Cold War case. While seen as a traitor by many Americans, he is regarded as a hero by some Israelis. Following his parole in 2015, Pollard relocated to Israel, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival.
The motivations behind Huckabee and his senior adviser David Milstein's decision to meet with Pollard remain uncertain. However, both have been noted for their efforts to strengthen ties with Israel's right-wing factions, with which Pollard is closely aligned.