According to Israel’s Army Radio there is a new initiative to secure the release of Jonathan Pollard (serving a life sentence in the United States for spying for Israel) in return for the extension of the settlement freeze.

Political sources at the PMO said the initiative is based upon the belief that many right wing ministers opposing the settlement freeze would find the release a remedy, though painful, to the settlement freeze extension.

According to the Army Radio, the Israeli source submitted the request to the American government. Its response was not available.

Dani Dayan, head of Yesha Council (a settler’s organization) was quoted as saying:

“This is an ugly blackmail. No one wants Pollard’s release more then we do, but we understand that accepting such a deal can harm Israel’s vital interests”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office had no comment on the issue.

Pollard was convicted of espionage in 1987 and is serving a life sentence in the U.S.