White House spokesman Jay Carney addressed a Reuters report on Monday evening that Jonathan Pollard would be released in exchange for extending the negotiations and releasing the terrorists. "He was convicted of espionage and is serving his sentence," Carney said. "I have no update on his condition.""
Earlier, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, that spy Jonathan Pollard could be released within two weeks, as part of the agreement being formed. According to the sources, under the agreement, talks with the Palestinians will be extended and Israel will release the fourth wave of prisoners and another group of prisoners. The Reuters report did not provide details about the identities of the sources allegedly behind the matter.
A senior Palestinian official told Reshet B that the Palestinian Authority rejected Israel's proposal to continue talks, even though it included the release of prisoners and a partial freeze on construction in settlements.
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In the wake of these developments, US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Israel this evening in a frantic effort to salvage the talks. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu tonight, and later meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
