Convicted spy could be released by Obama administration within months

Undated photo of Jonathan Pollard prior to his arrest. (Reuters)

Jonathan Pollard, a convicted Israeli spy, could be released from federal prison within months, his lawyer and the Justice Department said Friday.

Pollard becomes eligible for parole in November, on the 30th anniversary of his arrest on charges of selling classified information to Israel. He will be presumptively eligible for release unless the U.S. Parole Commission determines that he has a record of bad behavior in prison or is likely to commit new crimes.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that some U.S. officials hope the release will improve relations with Israel following the Iran nuclear deal. However, others denied any link between the release and the Iran deal exists.

National Security Council spokesperson Alistair Baskey told Fox News on Friday that Pollard’s prison status ”will be determined by the United States Parole Commission according to standard procedures. There is absolutely zero linkage between Mr. Pollard's status and foreign policy considerations."

U.S. officials say they’re unlikely to oppose his parole, but the Justice Department says it expects Pollard to serve out his sentence.

"The Department of Justice has always and continues to maintain that Jonathan Pollard should serve his full sentence for the serious crimes he committed, which in this case is a 30-year sentence as mandated by statute," said spokesman Marc Raimondi.

His attorney, Eliot Lauer, told The Associated Press on Friday that he hoped his client would be released, but said he had received no commitment from the Obama administration.

Pollard was arrested in November 1985 as he tried unsuccessfully to gain asylum in Israel’s Washington embassy. Supporters have argued that he was punished excessively given that he spied for a country that’s a U.S. ally. Critics – including prosecutors and government officials – call him a traitor who damaged the nation by disclosing a treasure trove of sensitive documents.

The U.S. has previously considered his release, including during Israel-Palestinian talks last year. His release now could be seen as a concession to Israel, which strongly opposed the Iran nuclear deal.

Pollard, 60, has battled health problems in recent years and is being held in a North Carolina prison. The federal Bureau of Prisons website lists his expected release date as November 21.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.