Knesset House Committee chairman David Bitan (Likud) has thrown his backing behind a bill mandating the State of Israel provide a monthly stipend to convicted spy Jonathan Pollard upon his release. 

The money would be designated for Pollard’s housing, daily life and health expenses. 

Pollard, who was arrested on charges of spying for Israel in 1985 and later sentenced to life in prison, began his 31st year in jail this past November; he is due to be released at the end of the month. 

According to Bitan, Pollard’s financial future in the United States remains uncertain, and is further hindered by reports that Washington would ban Pollard from leaving the country for five years after his parole. 

“I think that a man who has spent thirty years in jail is now out of prison has no alternative,” Bitan argued to Arutz Sheva. “We have a moral obligation to provide him with reasonable means of support.” 

“We do not now know what the Americans will give him, but we’ve seen their [past] behavior to him has been unreasonable.”

Last November, the Parole Board of the Justice Department rejected Pollard’s parole, with senior US officials involved in the case writing to President Barack Obama to complain the decision was “deeply flawed”.

While there is no precedent for the bill, Bitan is determined to see it passed. “In the meantime, I don’t see the government doing anything about it. If a decision is accepted to render my bill into law, I’ll be happy. In the meantime, I will present my proposal.”

“I know there is no precedent, but there is only one Pollard and we have a moral obligation,” Bitan stressed. “I’ve received positive responses. While the committee for Pollard has asked me to keep a low profile, I think it’s an important law.”