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Jonathan Pollard, the incarcerated Israeli agent convicted by the US of spying for Israel, is set to be released from jail on November 20 or 21 following a decision by the US Parole Commission.

Pollard's attorney said that he must remain in the US for five years under the parole ruling, but US Preisdent Barack Obama has the power to allow him to move to Israel sooner.

Responding to the news, Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel (Bayit Yehudi) gave a traditional prayer of thanks and said "after 30 years too many, the moment has arrived."

"I wish all the best for Jonathan and his family on his upcoming release and am looking forward to see him land in Israel," he said.
Successive Israeli governments have appealed for Pollard's release, which would be hugely popular in Israel, but US presidents have always resisted.

Pollard, 60, was convicted in 1987 of spying for Israel and sentenced to a life term.

Former United States secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld stated on Monday that releasing Jonathan Pollard is a bad idea, following rumors regarding the possibility that he would be released.

"Releasing Pollard was a bad idea in 1998 and 2001. It is not a better idea today," Rumsfeld posted on Twitter, along with a copy of letters stating his opposition to the move, which he sent to former US presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush while serving as secretary of defense.

While in prison, Pollard's health has deteriorated, leading him to need surgery in March 2014 due to the malfunctioning of his kidneys, gall bladder, and intestines. He was most recently hospitalized last December after losing consciousness.