Convicted Spy Appeals for Israeli Citizenship

Jonathan Pollard, serving a life term in a U.S. prison for his work as an Israeli spy, has appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court for citizenship, his lawyer said Monday.

Pollard, arrested in 1985, applied for Israeli citizenship this year in the hope that it could improve his chances for parole. But the government turned down his request, saying Israel does not normally grant citizenship to Jews until they immigrate.

Pollard filed the appeal on Sunday, citing a statute that grants citizenship to Jews who have done a service for Israel, regardless of where they live, said his lawyer, Larry Dub.