U.S. Ambassador Mark Huckabee recently held a meeting with Jonathan J. Pollard, a former U.S. intelligence officer convicted of espionage, at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. The encounter, which is rare for a diplomat to engage in with an individual with Pollard’s controversial background, was described by the ex-spy as cordial. Pollard, who served time in the U.S. federal prison system for his actions, expressed no regret over his decision to spy for Israel.
According to a phone interview with The New York Times, Pollard stated that the meeting, which is highly unusual for a U.S. diplomat to attend, was marked by a friendly atmosphere. He highlighted that he does not regret his past actions, emphasizing his belief that he was acting in the best interest of national security. Pollard’s comments have sparked discussions among U.S. officials and the Israeli government regarding the implications of such a meeting between a former intelligence agent and a foreign diplomat.