Netanyahu asks Obama to free Pollard

JERUSALEM, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Tuesday sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama seeking the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard.

"On behalf of the people of Israel, I am writing to you to request clemency for Jonathan Pollard," Netanyahu wrote in the letter reprinted by Haaretz.

"At the time of his arrest, Jonathan Pollard was acting as an agent of the Israeli government. Even though Israel was in no way directing its intelligence efforts against the United States, its actions were wrong and wholly unacceptable.

"Both Mr. Pollard and the government of Israel have repeatedly expressed remorse for these actions, and Israel will continue to abide by its commitment that such wrongful actions will never be repeated," Netanyahu said, noting previous Israeli leaders have asked Obama's predecessors for clemency.

"Since Jonathan Pollard has now spent 25 years in prison, I believe that a new request for clemency is highly appropriate. I know that this view is also shared by former senior American officials with knowledge of the case as well as by numerous members of Congress.

"Jonathan Pollard has reportedly served longer in prison than any person convicted of similar crimes, and longer than the period requested by the prosecutors at the time of his plea bargain agreement. Jonathan has suffered greatly for his actions and his health has deteriorated considerably," the letter said.

Pollard was convicted of spying and received a life sentence in 1987.