US ambassador held undisclosed meeting with convicted spy Pollard

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee held a private meeting with convicted spy Jonathan Pollard at the American Embassy in Jerusalem this past July, a report by The New York Times has revealed. The encounter, which was not listed on the ambassador's public schedule, marks the first time a US official has hosted Pollard inside a government facility since his release from prison.

A Controversial Figure

Pollard, a former US Navy intelligence analyst, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for passing classified information to Israel, an espionage case that severely strained US-Israel relations for years. After serving 35 years, he was paroled in 2015 and later moved to Israel, where he was welcomed as a hero by some political factions. The meeting with Ambassador Huckabee, a former Republican presidential candidate, has raised questions due to Pollard's status as a convicted felon for spying on the US for an ally.

Lack of Transparency and Internal Alarm

According to US officials, the White House and other senior administration figures were not informed about the meeting beforehand. The revelation that it occurred reportedly caused significant concern, with the CIA's station chief in Israel said to be among those alarmed. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the administration was unaware of the meeting but stated that the president continues to stand by the ambassador.

Pollard's Comments and Unclear Motives

Pollard described the encounter as friendly and thanked Huckabee for past support of his release. He expressed no regret for his espionage activities and used the opportunity to sharply criticize former President Donald Trump. The precise reason for the meeting remains unclear, though both Huckabee and his senior adviser have actively cultivated relationships with Israel's right-wing political circles, with which Pollard is closely aligned.