The Israeli leader jubilantly presented Pollard and his wife Esther with Israeli ID cards, granting them citizenship. Pollard, 66, and his wife walked slowly down the steps as they exited from the aircraft. Pollard, a civilian intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy, sold military secrets to Israel while working at the Pentagon in the 1980s. Despite the damage he caused to relations with the U.S. over the years, Pollard was warmly embraced by Israel's nationalist politicians. His arrival in Israel gives the embattled Netanyahu a welcome boost as he fights for reelection in March 23 parliamentary elections.

In a statement issued Saturday evening, Netanyahu said he had worked for Pollard's release for many years. “The prime minister expects to see Jonathan Pollard in Israel soon, and together with all Israelis, extends his best wishes to him and his wife Esther,” Netanyahu's office said. The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday that Pollard had completed his parole, freeing him to move to Israel. Israel granted Pollard citizenship in 1995, and Netanyahu had tried in the past to bring him to Israel as part of diplomatic negotiations. In his statement, Netanyahu thanked his ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, for conducting talks with the American government.

The move will free him to travel to Israel, which his advocates say has long been Pollard's wish. “We are grateful and delighted that our client is finally free of any restrictions, and is now a free man in all respects. Pollard, who was arrested in 1985 after trying unsuccessfully to gain asylum at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, was released from prison on parole five years ago. “It’s something we’ve been hoping for many, many years,” Pollard's former lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, said in an interview. “It’s overdue and I’m happy for Jonathan that he’s able now to go to Israel, which is what his wish has been.”