Jonathan Pollard hospitalized after losing consciousness

Pollard has suffered numerous health problems since he was sentenced to life in prison in the US in 1987 after being convicted of spying for Israel.

Jonathan Pollard (photo credit: COURTESY OF JUSTICE FOR JONATHAN POLLARD)
Jonathan Pollard
(photo credit: COURTESY OF JUSTICE FOR JONATHAN POLLARD)
Jonathan Pollard, the incarcerated agent convicted by the US of spying for Israel, was hospitalized on Friday after losing consciousness.
Effi Lahav, a spokesperson for the Pollard family, confirmed the report but said the reason 60-year-old Pollard lost consciousness was yet unknown.
"Unfortunately we do not have any further information, but we are hoping and praying since he has been hospitalized in the past in very dangerous circumstances," Lahav said.
Following the hospitalization, Israel Radio reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Pollard's wife by phone of Friday afternoon, expressing hope for his speedy recovery on behalf of all of Israel.
Meanwhile, Construction and Housing Minister and Bayit Yehudi chairman Uri Ariel called for the United States to end what he called its "cruel abuse" of Pollard and release the imprisoned Israeli agent.
"I demand the American government end its cruel abuse of Jonathan and release him effective immediately as many US officials have also recommended," the minister insisted.
Ariel also urged the Israeli public to pray for the recovery of Pollard, calling him "our brother."
Pollard, who was sentenced to life in prison in the United States in 1987, had surgery in March related to the malfunctioning of his kidneys, gall bladder, and intestines.
At the time, his wife Esther said that her husband’s access to appropriate medical attention is very limited.