(JNS.org) After spending 30 years in a U.S. federal prison, American-Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard was freed on parole Friday. Pollard was the only person in U.S. history sentenced to life in prison over spying for an American ally (Israel). Advocates in the Jewish community as well as experts in the U.S. intelligence community had long called for his release both due to the severity of his sentence and on the humanitarian grounds of his failing health.“ He has served the longest sentence of any individual convicted of a similar offense in the United States.

Israel Hayom reported that Netanyahu has asked President Barack Obama to let Pollard move to Israel after his release. Netanyahu made the personal request during his recent meeting with Obama at the White House last week in Washington, DC. Yet under his parole terms, Pollard, 61, will not be allowed to leave the U.S. for the next five years. Seeking to have that restriction lifted, Netanyahu reportedly promised Obama that Israel would make “guarantees” regarding Pollard’s post-release behavior and would enforce any terms set by the Americans. As things stand, Pollard will need to report regularly to a parole officer. It has been reported that Pollard will live in New York City and that he has secured a job there.