WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) – The White Home was unaware of a gathering between U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Jonathan Pollard, the previous U.S. Navy analyst who spent three many years in jail for spying for Israel, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt mentioned on Thursday.
The New York Occasions reported on Thursday that Huckabee met Pollard in July on the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. The assembly was stored off Huckabee’s official schedule and caught U.S. officers abruptly, the Occasions reported.
Leavitt informed reporters that though the administration had no advance information of the encounter, “the president stands by our ambassador, Mike Huckabee, and all that he is doing for the United States and Israel.”
Pollard, in an interview with an Israeli information channel, mentioned the assembly with Huckabee passed off at his request.
“I had originally requested the interview for a very personal reason,” he mentioned to Israel’s i24 Information. “I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for all the efforts that he had expended on my behalf when I was in prison.”
Huckabee, whereas operating for the Republican presidential nomination in 2011, advocated for Pollard’s launch.
Pollard was convicted in 1987 and sentenced to life ― the harshest punishment ever for spying for an ally ― for passing extremely categorized U.S. materials to Israel.
He served 30 years earlier than being paroled in 2015 and shifting to Israel in 2020.
The case pressured U.S.-Israel relations, and lots of within the U.S. intelligence group nonetheless view his case as one of the vital damaging breaches of categorized info in U.S. historical past, whereas some in Israel regard him as a hero.
The Occasions mentioned the assembly “alarmed” the CIA and marked a break from the long-standing observe of U.S. officers avoiding contact with convicted spies.
It was unclear whether or not Huckabee sought administration approval, elevating considerations the assembly might sign a softer U.S. stance on espionage by allies.
Huckabee, a staunch supporter of Israel and political ally of President Donald Trump, has cultivated shut ties with Israeli leaders because the administration deepens diplomatic and safety cooperation.
The Occasions mentioned Huckabee has additionally sought to strengthen ties with Israel’s proper wing, with which Pollard is aligned.
