US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with Jonathan Pollard, who served 30 years in an American prison after being convicted of spying for Israel, in July. The meeting, which took place at the embassy in Jerusalem, surprised the White House and the CIA, The New York Times reported Thursday.
Pollard confirmed the meeting to the newspaper and noted this was the first time an American official hosted him in an office since his release. "It was a friendly meeting," he was quoted as saying. It should be noted that after being released from prison, Pollard is prevented from returning to the US, so the meeting with Huckabee could only take place in Israel.
According to the report, the meeting did not appear on Huckabee's official schedule, and its very existence worried the CIA station chief in Israel. The White House did not know about it in advance, and senior officials were unpleasantly surprised when they learned about it. According to the report, it is unclear whether the State Department approved holding the meeting in question.
At midday, Pollard told Israel Hayom the meeting between him and the ambassador was on a personal basis only. "Mr. Huckabee was a true gentleman. During the years I was in prison, he tried to help on a humanitarian basis. In particular, he provided great assistance to my late wife, Esther, who for many years was ill with cancer. I asked to thank him personally. The meeting was on a deeply personal basis only. We did not discuss political or other issues."
It should be noted that after being released from prison, Pollard is prevented from returning to the US, so the meeting with Huckabee could only take place in Israel.
Israel Hayom learned the meeting was held openly in the ambassador's office in Jerusalem, with embassy staff and others fully aware of its occurrence.
