Israeli Envoy’s Recall in Spy Case Reported
Israel army radio said today a senior Israeli diplomat has been recalled from Washington after the FBI identified him as the contact of the U.S. intelligence analyst accused of passing military secrets to Israel.
The broadcast did not name the diplomat but said he left for Israel today.
It said the decision was made after the FBI hinted that a recall would save Israel some embarrassment if the diplomat’s name came up in court proceedings against Jonathan Pollard, the 31-year-old civilian Navy analyst accused of spying.
The FBI had given the prosecution in the case the name of the Israeli contact, the radio said. Just before his arrest last Thursday, Pollard reportedly called the contact to ask for asylum in the Israeli Embassy.
Pollard was arrested outside the embassy and was accused of passing military secrets to Israel.
His wife, Ann Henderson-Pollard, also was arrested last week and accused of illegal possession of secret documents.
Israel radio reported that two other Israeli diplomats may be recalled soon, depending on what is revealed in court.
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