The US justice departmetn last night denied a Wall Street Journal report that Washington is preparing to release Jonathan Pollard, a US Navy intelligence officer convicted of spying for Israel.

The release would end a decades-long fight between Israel and the United States over Pollard (60) who was convicted of spying for Israel and sentenced in 1987 to life in prison. The Wall Street Journal said some US officials hope the move will smooth relations with Israel following the Iran nuclear deal, which Israel opposes.

Some US officials are pushing for Pollard’s release in a matter of weeks, while others expect it could take months, possibly until his parole consideration date in November, the Journal reported.

A US official said she was not aware that he would be released before he is eligible for parole in November.

and that it was intelligence that Israel previously had access to.

His supporters also say he should be released because of his poor health, with his attorney saying he suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has personally pressed for years to get the US to release Pollard, who is currently serving time in a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina.

Reuters