Esther Pollard: I am counting the days until I can have Jonathan in my arms
Israeli agent Jonathan Pollard will be released from prison after serving 30 years of a life sentence on November 20.
By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN, JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: JULY 29, 2015 18:11Esther Pollard: I am counting the days until I can have Jonathan in my arms
Esther Pollard spoke to the press on Wednesday for the first time since her husband's release was announced on Tuesday."Thanks to God almighty, my beloved husband Jonathan Pollard is completing 30 long hard years of incarceration in the US. Jonathan has served his time. I can hardly wait. I am counting the days, minutes, seconds, when I can have him in my arms, close the door on the past, begin to heal and go on with our lives."Esther Pollard thanked the public for their constant support throughout the ordeal. "I am afraid if I start to name names I will start now and it will never end," she said with a smile.Peres hails Pollard releaseEsther requested that the public and the media give the couple privacy upon Jonathan's release in November"I know so many people are feeling relief and joy right now and want to share in our celebration," she continued, "but what we need now more than anything else is peace and quiet in our lives and privacy to be able to rebuild our lives and heal and to be able to begin to live like normal people in a quiet and modest way."Wiping away tears, she said, "I want to thank this whole beloved, beautiful nation that stood with us all these years. Thank you very much and god bless."PM Netanyahu meets with Esther PollardThe US Parole Commission announced Tuesday that Pollard will be released from prison after serving 30 years of a life sentence on November 20."I am looking forward to being reunited with my beloved wife Esther," Pollard said through his attorneys. "I would like to thank the many thousands of well-wishers in the United States, in Israel, and throughout the world, who provided grass roots support by attending rallies, sending letters, making phone calls to elected officials, and saying prayers for my welfare. I am deeply appreciative of every gesture, large or small."Had Pollard's parole been denied, he would have been required to serve an additional fifteen years in prison. His parole hearing took place July 7 at the Federal Correctional Center in Butner, North Carolina, where he has been incarcerated. He has been serving a sentence of life in prison for conspiracy to deliver classified information to the State of Israel.