JERUSALEM —
Jonathan Pollard, who spent 30 years in prison for spying on the U.S. for Israel, arrived in Israel early Wednesday with his wife, culminating a decades-long espionage scandal that long strained relations between Washington and one of its closest allies.
“We are ecstatic to be home at last after 35 years,” Pollard said as he was greeted at Israel’s international airport by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader jubilantly presented Pollard and his wife, Esther, with Israeli ID cards, granting them citizenship.
“You’re home,” Netanyahu said, reciting a Hebrew blessing of thanks. “What a moment. What a moment.”