The upcoming release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard sends an unfortunate message to the world that the United States is tolerant of those who commit espionage, says former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, president of the Free Congress Foundation.
"As a former United States intelligence agent, as a veteran of the United States Army, I'm not patient with people who spied and then committed espionage on behalf of foreign powers getting treatment," Gilmore told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on
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Pollard, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer convicted of spying for Israel in 1987 and sentenced to life behind bars, will be released in November, it was announced on Tuesday.
Pollard has long been eligible for parole, but was unable to gain his freedom despite longstanding efforts by Israel.
"I know he's been there a long time but the message that we send, that we're tolerant to … espionage is not good," said Gilmore, president of the Free Congress Foundation.
"I've been the one to declare that Edward Snowden is a traitor and needs to come back home and stay in trial for what he has done."
"When I was in the United States Army I was very respectful of the law, respectful of my security clearance, respectful of the work I was doing … Pollard has to stay in prison for his term."
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