AP Photos Hayden equates Pollard to Snowden

Former NSA and CIA Director Michael Hayden on Sunday criticized a possible deal to release convicted spy Jonathan Pollard to keep Middle East peace talks going, equating Pollard to Edward Snowden.

Pollard was convicted of passing classified information to Israel while working as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Nay in 1987.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea just to keep some people at the table, which apparently was the purpose of this offer,” Hayden said on “Fox News Sunday.” “The second thing I’d offer...It’s almost a sign of desperation that you would throw this in the pot in to keep the Israelis talking with the Palestinians.”

“If this were to take place, the administration would be saying 'Pollard,' and everyone in my old community -- the intelligence community -- would not be hearing 'Pollard,' they would be hearing 'Snowden,' and they would believe that this kind of behavior could actually be politically negotiated away and that would be a very disturbing message for the people who provide America with intelligence.”