Global matcha market to surpass $7bn by 2030: Nutrition expert    Egypt, Huawei discuss expanding AI, digital healthcare collaboration    Israel's escalating offensive in Gaza claims over 61,000 lives amid growing international pressure    Chinese defence expert dismisses India's claim of downing Pakistani jets    Egypt's Al-Sisi calls for comprehensive roadmap to develop media sector    Egypt, Jordan kick off expert-level meetings for joint committee in Amman    Spinneys Ninth Annual Celebration Honoring Egypt's Brightest Graduates    Al-Sisi, Türkiye's FM discuss boosting ties, regional issues    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt signs vaccine production agreement with UAE's Al Qalaa, China's Red Flag    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt to open Grand Egyptian Museum on Nov. 1: PM    EGP wavers against US dollar in early trade    Oil rises on Wednesday    Egypt, Vietnam gear up for 6th joint committee    Egypt, Uganda strengthen water cooperation, address Nile governance    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Egypt, Malawi explore pharmaceutical cooperation, export opportunities    Egypt's Foreign Minister discusses Nile water security with Ugandan president    Egyptians vote in two-day Senate election with key list unopposed    Korean Cultural Centre in Cairo launches folk painting workshop    Egyptian Journalist Mohamed Abdel Galil Joins Golden Globe Voting Committee    Egypt's FM, US envoy discuss Gaza ceasefire, Iran nuclear talks    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Officials deny report that U.S. preparing to release Israeli spy
Published in Albawaba on 25 - 07 - 2015

U.S. officials on Friday denied a Wall Street Journal report that the Obama administration was considering early release for Jonathan Pollard, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer convicted of spying for Israel.
The Justice Department said Pollard must serve his full 30-year sentence. It stressed that he has long been eligible for consideration for parole in November but insisted that the administration has no say in how that process unfolds.
One U.S. official rejected the notion that Pollard's release would have anything to do with trying to smooth tense relations with Israel over President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fiercely opposes.
The Journal reported that some U.S. officials are pushing for Pollard's release in a matter of weeks, while others expect it could take months, possibly at his parole consideration date in November.
Successive Israeli governments have appealed for Pollard's release, which would be hugely popular in Israel, but U.S. presidents have always resisted. Pollard, 60, was convicted in 1987 of spying for Israel and sentenced to a life term.
The Justice Department said it "has always and continues to maintain that Jonathan Pollard should serve his full sentence for the serious crimes he committed."
"Mr. Pollard's status will be determined by the United States Parole Commission according to standard procedures," said Alistair Baskey, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council. "There is absolutely zero linkage between Mr. Pollard's status and foreign policy considerations."
Pollard's supporters say he is being punished too harshly since Israel is a U.S. ally and much of the classified information he passed on caused no damage to the United States and was intelligence that Israel previously had access to.
His supporters also say he should be released because of his poor health, with his attorney saying he suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.
Netanyahu has personally pressed for years to get the United States to release Pollard, who is currently serving time in a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina.
The Obama administration considered early release in the spring of 2014 as a sweetener to encourage Israel in an Israeli-Palestinian peace effort, but the idea caused an uproar in the U.S. intelligence community and was quickly dropped.


Clic here to read the story from its source.