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The opening as it read in 2005
Jonathan Jay Pollard (born August 7 , 1954 ) is a former United States Navy intelligence officer who was convicted of spying for Israel and in 1986 received a life sentence with recommendation against parole . In 1985 , Pollard's superiors at the Naval Anti-Terrorist Alert Center in Washington, D.C. grew suspicious of Pollard's behavior on the job. Stacks of classified documents unrelated to his work were repeatedly found in his office. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was soon called in to investigate, and they arrested Pollard in November of 1985 . Any hopes of keeping the scandal under wraps were dashed when Pollard attempted to flee arrest by requesting asylum at the Israeli embassy, as originally ordered by his Israeli handlers. The Israeli embassy nevertheless refused to grant Pollard and his wife asylum, and Pollard was subsequently apprehended by the FBI. Israel paid Pollard tens of thousands of dollars for his spying, but he claims not to have been motivated by money. Exactly what information he gave to Israel has not been officially revealed. Press reports citing a secret 46-page memorandum, provided to the judge by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger , describe Pollard's spying as including, among other things, obtaining and copying the latest version of Radio-Signal Notations , a 10-volume manual detailing America's global electronic surveillance network. (Edwin Black, "Why Jonathan Pollard is Still in Prison"; Seymour Hersh, [1] ) This memorandum, while leaked to the press, was denied access to Pollard's attorneys. Pollard's attorneys were thus crippled regarding his defense. Leighton wrote: " At the time Mr. Pollard was sentenced in March of 1987, the court placed under seal approximately forty pages of material filed in the court's docket. These included portions of a declaration by then-Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and portions of pre-sentencing memoranda submitted to the court by the government as well as by the defense. The materials were sealed because the government said they contained classified information, some of which could affect national security if disclosed inappropriately.... Pollard and his attorney at the time were permitted to read the sealed pages before sentencing. However, despite the provision in the protective order for future access, no attorney representing Mr. Pollard has been permitted to see these pages since 1987. While this denial of access has severely hampered the efforts of Mr. Pollard's new attorneys to secure justice for their client, it has proved convenient for his adversaries. Pollard by spreading, in the press, rumors and outright falsehoods. Since the accusations floated in the media are nowhere to be found in the open court file, they would either be substantiated in the sealed pages, or not at all. As no one representing Mr. Pollard has been allowed access to the sealed pages, Mr. Pollard's adversaries have had unbridled license to spread falsehoods with virtually no risk of contradiction. " Judge Leighton added: " The government's conduct in this case is highly disturbing ." The U.S. government arranged a plea-bargain with Pollard. The agreement was that Pollard would plead guilty to the one count of passing classified information to an ally without intent to harm the United States. In return, he would receive light sentencing and there would be no trial. Pollard pleaded guilty on the above mentioned indictment on June 4 , 1986 . Prior to sentencing, and in violation of the plea agreement, Pollard and his wife Anne gave defiant media interviews in which they defended their spying, and attempted to rally American Jews to their cause. In a 60 Minutes interview, Anne stated, "I feel my husband and I did what we were expected to do, and what our moral obligation was as Jews, what our moral obligation was as human beings, and I have no regrets about that." (Edwin Black, "Why Jonathan Pollard is Still in Prison"). Before sentencing, (the now former) Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger delivered a 46-page classified memorandum to the sentencing judge, the contents of were not shown to Pollard's attorneys. On the day before sentencing, Weinberger delivered a supplemental four-page memorandum to the judge. Pollard and his attorneys were only shown the supplemental memorandum briefly before sentencing. Pollard claims that, in the memorandum, Weinberger accused him of treason and suggested a lifetime prison sentence. Interestingly, treason, by definition, requires espionage for an enemy at a time of war. Pollard was summarily sentenced to life in prison on one count of espionage for an ally (a sentence unprecedented for such an indictment) in violation of his plea-bargain agreement, not having had the benefit of a trial. Pollard's attorneys failed to file for his appeal within the mandated ten-day period after sentencing. Several years later, with a different attorney, Pollard filed a Habeas Corpus request. The three-judge panel on the appeals court ruled two-to-one to deny Pollard's request. This was primarily due to the faliure of Pollard's attorneys in filing for appeal in a timely manner. The dissenting opinion, Judge Stephen Williams, called the case " a fundamental miscarriage of justice ." In 1987 , Pollard began his life sentence, one he is still serving. Pollard's wife, Anne, was sentenced to five years in prison. He was awarded Israeli citizenship in 1998 . As of 2005 , he is still in prison, although the Israeli government has repeatedly asked for his release. In 1998, Israel admitted in a statement from then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Pollard had been an Israeli spy. Israeli sources claimed that President Clinton promised to put Pollard on Netanyahu's plane, possibly to go to an Israeli jail, possibly to go free, but then reneged. Administration spokesmen countered that no such deal had been made.1
This is Wikipedia's own text, saved in our repository. Their copy of it is revision 17937675.
The opening as it stood in 2010 48 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
Jonathan Jay Pollard (born August 7, 1954 in Galveston , Texas ) is a former civilian intelligence analyst who was convicted of spying for Israel .He received a life sentence in 1987.Israel granted Pollard citizenship in 1995, while publicly denying that he was an Israeli spy until 1998.Israeli activist groups, as well as high-profile Israeli politicians, have lobbied for his release.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced particularly strong support for Pollard, visiting the convicted spy in prison in 2002.Pollard's case was later linked to that of Ben-Ami Kadish , another U.S. national who pleaded guilty to charges of passing classified information to Israel in the same period."Israel admits it spied on US" . news.bbc.co.uk .Documents to Israel in the 1980s Pleads Guilty" .
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 369768943.
The opening as it stood in 2015 5 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
Jonathan Jay Pollard (born August 7, 1954) was a United States government employee who pleaded guilty in 1987 to selling classified information to Israel while working as a civilian intelligence analyst and was sentenced to life in prison.Because his offenses were committed prior to November 1987, he could become eligible for parole as early as November 2015.Pollard is the only American ever to receive a life sentence for passing classified information to an ally of the U.S.Israeli officials, American and Israeli activist groups, and American politicians who see his punishment as unfair have lobbied continuously for reduction or commutation of his sentence.The Israeli government issued a formal apology to the U.S. for part of its role in Pollard's espionage in 1987, but did not admit paying for the documents until 1998.Since the arrest, Israel has made repeated attempts through both official and unofficial channels to secure Pollard's release, but without success.Israel granted Pollard Israeli citizenship in 1995.Pollard's rabbi has written that Pollard "expressed regret" for his actions, and argues that he was never charged with treason (which is applicable, technically, in cases that involve an enemy state or in times of war).Numerous past and present US officials oppose any form of clemency, including former CIA director George Tenet , multiple former U.S.Secretaries of Defense, a bipartisan group of U.S. congressional leaders, and members of the American intelligence community.These opponents maintain that the damage to American national security as a result of Pollard's activities was far more severe and enduring than publicly acknowledged.Intelligence officials contend that at least some of the information purchased from Pollard ended up in the Soviet Union .His motives, they argue, were monetary, not idealistic or patriotic.He stole classified documents related to China that his wife used to advance her personal business interests.He admitted shopping his services to countries other than Israel.There is evidence that he sold classified information to South Africa , and attempted to do so with Pakistan .He also attempted to broker arms deals with South Africa, Argentina , Taiwan , Pakistan, and Iran.Pollard's case was later compared to that of Ben-ami Kadish , another U.S. citizen who pleaded guilty to charges of passing classified information to Israel during the same period."How former CIA chief foiled Pollard's release" . ynet news. "Israel admits it spied on US" . news.bbc.co.uk . Congressional Research Service Report for Congress .The Library of Congress . Documents to Israel in the 1980s Pleads Guilty" .
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 669537610.
The opening as it stood in 2020 16 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
U.S. civilian intelligence analyst turned Israeli spy Jonathan Jay Pollard (born August 7, 1954) is a former intelligence analyst for the United States government.In 1987, as part of a plea agreement , Pollard pleaded guilty to spying for and providing top-secret classified information to Israel .He was sentenced to life in prison for violations of the Espionage Act .Pollard is the only American who has received a life sentence for passing classified information to an ally of the U.S.In defense of his actions, Pollard declared that he committed espionage only because "the American intelligence establishment collectively endangered Israel's security by withholding crucial information".Israeli officials, U.S.-Israeli activist groups, and some U.S. politicians who saw his punishment as unfair lobbied continually for reduction or commutation of his sentence.The Israeli government acknowledged a portion of its role in Pollard's espionage in 1987, and issued a formal apology to the U.S., but did not admit to paying him until 1998.Over the course of his imprisonment, Israel made repeated unsuccessful attempts through both official and unofficial channels to secure his release.He was granted Israeli citizenship in 1995.Opposing any form of clemency were many active and retired U.S. officials, including Donald Rumsfeld , Dick Cheney , former CIA director George Tenet ; several former U.S.Secretaries of Defense; a bi-partisan group of U.S. congressional leaders; and members of the U.S. intelligence community.They maintained that the damage to U.S. national security due to Pollard's espionage was far more severe, wide-ranging, and enduring than publicly acknowledged.Though Pollard argued that he only supplied Israel with information critical to its security, opponents pointed out that he had no way of knowing what the Israelis had received through legitimate exchanges, and that much of the data he compromised had nothing to do with Israeli security.Pollard revealed aspects of the U.S. intelligence gathering process, its "sources and methods".He sold numerous closely guarded state secrets, including the National Security Agency 's ten-volume manual on how the U.S. gathers its signal intelligence, and disclosed the names of thousands of people who had cooperated with U.S. intelligence agencies.While Benjamin Netanyahu argued that Pollard worked exclusively for Israel, Pollard admitted shopping his services—successfully, in some cases—to other countries.Some of the accusations against Pollard can be traced to a CIA mole named Aldrich Ames , who allegedly caused a shift to "blame Mr.Pollard for exposing the American agents to clear himself of suspicion." The same source "said that Mr.Pollard never exposed American agents in the Soviet Union or elsewhere." Pollard was released on November 20, 2015, in accordance with federal guidelines in place at the time of his sentencing.At the same time, Pollard and his key spokesman have continuously declared that he committed espionage only because the American intelligence establishment collectively endangered Israel's security by withholding crucial information.This has motivated the senior intelligence community to energetically oppose early release for Pollard. "How former CIA chief foiled Pollard's release" . ynet news. The roster of the renowned passionately advocating for Pollard's release ... includes every Israeli Prime Minister since the crime, from Yitzhak Rabin to Ariel Sharon "Israel admits it spied on US" . news.bbc.co.uk .Donald Rumsfeld against releasing Israel spy Jonathan Pollard , Politico "Why Jonathan Pollard spent 30 years in prison" .Virtually the entire U.S. intelligence and defense establishment, with CIA director George Tenet acting as point man, want Pollard to rot in jail forever. Congressional Research Service Report for Congress . The Library of Congress . More than just intelligence substance, Pollard revealed the carefully guarded aspect of American intelligence, known as "sources and methods." "Why Jonathan Pollard spent 30 years in prison" .Contrary to perfidious rumors about his manner," remembers Netanyahu in a telephone interview, "Pollard was absolutely clear and in control—both intellectually and emotionally.Remember, he did not work for anyone but Israel, yet continues in jail after 17 years.However, others did work for other countries, and they were set free long ago.A great injustice has been perpetrated by keeping Pollard endlessly in jail.
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 963289605.
The opening as it stood on October 6, 2023 10 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
US intelligence analyst and convicted spy Jonathan Jay Pollard (born August 7, 1954) is a former intelligence analyst for the US government. In 1984, Pollard sold numerous closely guarded state secrets, including the National Security Agency 's ten-volume manual on how the U.S. gathers its signal intelligence, and disclosed the names of thousands of people who had cooperated with U.S. intelligence agencies. He was apprehended in 1985, and in subsequent proceedings agreed to a plea deal , pleaded guilty to spying for and providing top-secret classified information to Israel . Pollard admitted shopping his services—successfully, in some cases—to other countries. In 1987, he was sentenced to life in prison for violations of the Espionage Act . The Israeli government acknowledged a portion of its role in Pollard's espionage in 1987, and issued a formal apology to the U.S., but did not admit to paying him until 1998. Over the course of his imprisonment, Israeli officials, US-Israeli activist groups and some US politicians continually lobbied for a reduction or commutation of his sentence. In defense of his actions, Pollard said the American intelligence establishment collectively endangered Israel's security by withholding crucial information. Opposing any form of clemency were many active and retired U.S. officials, including Donald Rumsfeld , Dick Cheney , former CIA director George Tenet ; several former U.S. Secretaries of Defense; a bi-partisan group of U.S. congressional leaders; and members of the U.S. intelligence community. They maintained that the damage to U.S. national security due to Pollard's espionage was far more severe, wide-ranging, and enduring than publicly acknowledged. Though Pollard argued that he only supplied Israel with information critical to its security, opponents stated that he had no way of knowing what the Israelis had received through legitimate exchanges, and that much of the data he compromised had nothing to do with Israeli security. Pollard revealed aspects of the U.S. intelligence gathering process, its "sources and methods". In 1995, while imprisoned, he was granted Israeli citizenship. Pollard was released on November 20, 2015, in accordance with federal guidelines in place at the time of his sentencing. On November 20, 2020, his parole expired and all restrictions were removed.On December 30, 2020, Pollard and his second wife moved to Israel and settled in Jerusalem .The Times of Israel . The roster of the renowned passionately advocating for Pollard's release ... includes every Israeli Prime Minister since the crime, from Yitzhak Rabin to Ariel Sharon "How former CIA chief foiled Pollard's release" . ynet news. Donald Rumsfeld against releasing Israel spy Jonathan Pollard , Politico "Why Jonathan Pollard spent 30 years in prison" . The Times of Israel . Virtually the entire U.S. intelligence and defense establishment, with CIA director George Tenet acting as point man, want Pollard to rot in jail forever. Congressional Research Service Report for Congress . The Library of Congress . The Times of Israel . More than just intelligence substance, Pollard revealed the carefully guarded aspect of American intelligence, known as 'sources and methods.' "Israel admits it spied on US" . news.bbc.co.uk . The New York Times .The Times of Israel .
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 1176351108.
The opening as it stood in 2025 4 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
US intelligence analyst and convicted spy (born 1954) Jonathan Jay Pollard (born August 7, 1954) is an American former intelligence analyst who was jailed for spying for Israel. In 1984, Pollard sold numerous state secrets, including the National Security Agency 's ten-volume manual on how the U.S. gathers its signal intelligence, and disclosed the names of thousands of people who had cooperated with U.S. intelligence agencies. He was apprehended in 1985, and in subsequent proceedings agreed to a plea deal , pleaded guilty to spying for and providing top-secret classified information to Israel . Pollard admitted shopping his services—successfully, in some cases—to other countries. In 1987, he was sentenced to life in prison for violations of the Espionage Act . The Israeli government acknowledged a portion of its role in Pollard's espionage in 1987, and issued a formal apology to the U.S., but did not admit to paying him until 1998. Over the course of his imprisonment, Israeli officials, US-Israeli activist groups and some US politicians continually lobbied for a reduction or commutation of his sentence. In defense of his actions, Pollard said the American intelligence establishment collectively endangered Israel's security by withholding crucial information. Opposing any form of clemency for Pollard were many active and retired U.S. officials, including Donald Rumsfeld , Dick Cheney , former CIA director George Tenet ; several former U.S. Secretaries of Defense; a bi-partisan group of U.S. congressional leaders; and members of the U.S. intelligence community. They maintained that the damage to U.S. national security due to Pollard's espionage was much more severe, wide-ranging, and enduring than acknowledged publicly. Though Pollard argued that he only supplied Israel with information critical to its security, opponents stated that he had no way of knowing what the Israelis had received through legitimate exchanges, and that much of the data he compromised had nothing to do with Israeli security. Pollard revealed aspects of the U.S. intelligence gathering process, its "sources and methods". In 1995, while imprisoned, he was granted Israeli citizenship. Pollard was released from prison on November 20, 2015, in accordance with federal guidelines at the time of his sentencing. On November 20, 2020, his parole expired and all restrictions were eliminated. On December 30, 2020, Pollard and his second wife relocated to Israel and settled in Jerusalem .Since relocating to Israel, Pollard has endorsed Itamar Ben-Gvir and advocated a population transfer to relocate Gaza's Palestinians to Ireland. The Times of Israel . Congressional Research Service Report for Congress . The Library of Congress . "Israel admits it spied on US" . news.bbc.co.uk . The New York Times . The Times of Israel . Jewish spy Pollard endorses Israel's far-right Ben-Gvir" .
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Today
“terror” appeared 1 times in this article's opening at its peak. Today the opening has none; the body has 6. Read the current article and compare.
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What Wikipedia says this is
Every article opens by defining its subject. This one was redefined between 2005 and 2025.
Then
former united states navy intelligence officer who was convicted of spying for israel and in 1986 received a li
Now
american former intelligence analyst who was jailed for spying for israel
Struck red text is no longer in the article; dotted amber text was rewritten. Every revision id links to Wikipedia's copy; the text shown is our own saved copy. Data: /data. Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA; quoted for the record; not affiliated with Wikipedia.
