WASHINGTON, July 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Parole Commission ordered for convicted Israeli spy Jonathon Pollard to be released from prison after serving 30 years of a life sentence.
Pollard, 60, was arrested for passing secret documents to Israel while working as a civilian analyst with the U.S. Navy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life. Under the sentencing laws when he was convicted, he has to be considered for parole after 30 years, which comes in November.
The decision is being seen by some as a way to end the decades-long tension over Pollard, who was sentenced to life in prison in 1987. Israel has long argued the sentence was too harsh and has been repeatedly denied requests for early release.
National Security Council spokesman Alistair Baskey said the decision has nothing to do with the Iran deal, but instead was a recognition that Pollard met the conditions for release.
"The decision is not connected to recent developments in the Middle East," said Pollard's lawyers, Eliot Lauer and Jacques Semmelman, NBC News reported.
Under his parole, Pollard must remain in the United States for five years after his release. His lawyers said they found housing and work for him in New York but are hoping President Barack Obama will use his executive power to lift this requirement.
"We respectfully urge the president to exercise his clemency power in this manner," they said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a release saying he spoke to Pollard's wife, Esther, on Tuesday.
"Throughout his time in prison, I consistently raised the issue of his release in my meetings and conversations with the leadership of successive U.S. administrations. We are looking forward to his release," Netanyahu said, as quoted by CNN.
Amy R. Connolly contributed to this report. Like Us on Facebook for more stories from UPI.com