Ambassador Mike Huckabee, the United States envoy to Israel, held a private meeting at the embassy in Jerusalem with Jonathan Pollard, a former American intelligence analyst convicted of spying for Israel. The encounter, which was not listed on Huckabee's official schedule, surprised and alarmed several American officials, including those at the Central Intelligence Agency and the White House, who were unaware of the meeting beforehand.

Pollard, who spent 30 years in prison before moving to Israel, described the meeting as friendly and thanked Huckabee for his past support of his release. The meeting marks the first time Pollard has been hosted by an American official at a government office since his release. The embassy declined to comment on the specifics of their conversation, while some former officials criticized Huckabee's decision to meet with Pollard, citing the damage Pollard's espionage caused to United States interests.

Pollard remains a controversial figure, seen by many Americans as a traitor and by some Israelis as a hero. His case has long strained relations between the United States and Israel, and his recent activities and statements continue to draw attention and debate.