Jonathan Pollard

Jonathan Pollard was hospitalized April 6 in North Carolina, several miles from the prison where he is currently incarcerated for espionage, following a serious deterioration in his health.
Pollard, serving his 27th year of a life sentence after being convicted of spying for Israel, complained of sharp pain and was rushed to a nearby hospital after prison medical officials were unable to ease his discomfort.
According to Israeli Army Radio, Pollard’s wife Esther met Israeli President Shimon Peres at the president’s residence in Jerusalem on Sunday and urged Peres to do what he can to free her husband.
Peres — set to discuss Pollard with President Obama on June 13, when Peres will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom — reportedly assured Esther that he would put in a formal request for Pollard’s release on Monday, the Jerusalem Post reported.
“[Peres’s] response was unequivocal that he would put his international reputation on the line and use every means at his disposal [to obtain Jonathan’s release],” Esther said.

—Israel Hayom/JointMedia News Service