Pollard is a former civilian intelligence officer with the U.S. Navy who pleaded guilty in 1986 to one charge of spying on the United States for the Israeli government and is serving a life-in-prison term in North Carolina.

His wife, Esther Pollard, called her husband's former handler and Israeli legislator, Rafi Eitan, a "murderer" and said the Israeli government had no intention of securing Pollard's release, The Jerusalem Post said.

The Israeli government granted Pollard citizenship following the disclosure it spied on the United States.

"They are simply uncomfortable with (the thought of) Pollard being in Israel and influencing their reputations," Esther Pollard said, referring to top Israeli officials.