Jonathan Pollard

Former Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard has appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convince US President Donald Trump to commute his parole on compassionate grounds so he can care for his cancer-stricken wife.

US-born Pollard served 30 years of a life sentence at a North Carolina prison for providing intelligence information to Israel.

Following his release from prison in 2015, sanctions include wearing an electronic bracelet and a curfew. His movements are monitored by a GPS.

Pollard sent his request through Israeli Ambassador to Washington Ron Dermer.

Speaking on Channel 12, an emotional Pollard called on Netanyahu to intervene as it was a matter of “life and death”.

“I can’t take care of my wife, I’m not mobile,” he told the reporter.

“If my wife needs something in the middle of the night, I can’t help her. Esther has been fighting for my life for 30 years. Now it’s my turn.”

Netanyahu’s office said Israel remained committed to bringing Pollard home.

Pollard is hopeful Netanyahu’s relationship with US President will prove successful.

Former cabinet minister Naftali Bennet said Israel had a “deep moral obligation towards Pollard” on social media, adding, “This is a humanitarian case that demands Israel do everything possible.”

Bennet called on Israel to use diplomatic steps to assist Pollard, adding that he was acting on behalf of the State of Israel when arrested in 1985.

“Israel does not abandon a soldier in the field,” he noted.

By Howard Lawrence