White House Unaware of US Ambassador's Meeting with Convicted Spy Jonathan Pollard in Jerusalem

Unannounced Meeting Raises Questions

In a development that has drawn attention in diplomatic and intelligence circles, the White House has confirmed it was 'unaware' of a meeting between US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Jonathan Pollard, a former US Navy analyst convicted of spying for Israel. The encounter reportedly took place in July at the US Embassy in Jerusalem and was not listed on the ambassador's official schedule.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Thursday that while the administration had no prior knowledge of the meeting, President Donald Trump 'stands by our ambassador... and all that he is doing for the United States and Israel.'

Details of the Encounter

Jonathan Pollard, who served 30 years in prison for passing highly classified US material to Israel, confirmed the meeting to The New York Times, describing it as 'friendly.' He indicated that a primary reason for the meeting was to express his 'sincere appreciation' to Ambassador Huckabee for his efforts in advocating for Pollard's release during his incarceration. Pollard declined to elaborate on other topics discussed, stating only that 'a lot of things' came up.

The meeting reportedly caught many US officials by surprise, including the CIA's station chief in Israel, and was described as alarming by senior figures in Washington. It marks a departure from long-standing diplomatic practice, as US officials have typically avoided contact with convicted spies.

Pollard's Background and Release

Jonathan Pollard was convicted in 1987 and sentenced to life in prison for espionage, a case that significantly strained relations between the United States and Israel. He was released on parole in 2015 and, after his parole conditions were lifted in 2020, he moved to Israel, where he was greeted by then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

His parole conditions initially included restrictions on travel and internet access, which were eventually lifted. Pollard, now 70 years old, has been a controversial figure, viewed by some in Israel as a hero and by many in the US intelligence community as responsible for one of the most damaging breaches of classified information in American history.

Reactions and Implications

The unannounced meeting has sparked debate regarding diplomatic protocols and the handling of sensitive intelligence matters. Some former American officials, such as Daniel Kurtzer, who served as US ambassador to Israel under President George W. Bush, criticized the meeting, stating it 'defies any kind of logic.'

Pollard himself suggested that news of the meeting might have been leaked to discredit the ambassador, possibly by the US intelligence community. He also voiced strong opinions about certain Trump administration figures, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, regarding their involvement in negotiations between Israel and Hamas.