Brief: Jonathan Pollard, who served 30 years for passing classified intelligence to Israel, says he regrets his actions and plans to run for Knesset.

Jonathan Pollard, the former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst who spent three decades in American prison for passing classified information to Israel, has issued an apology for his actions and announced plans to run for a seat in the Israeli Knesset, according to NPR.

Pollard's announcement marks a dramatic turn for the controversial figure, who was arrested in 1985 and convicted of espionage. He served 30 years in U.S. federal prison before being released on parole in 2015, and arrived in Israel in 2020 after his parole restrictions were lifted.

The former analyst expressed regret for his actions during the announcement, though specific details of his apology were not immediately available. His decision to enter Israeli politics comes after years of living in the country, where he has been granted citizenship and has maintained a public profile.

Pollard's case has long been a sensitive issue in U.S.-Israel relations. While he maintains that the intelligence he provided to Israel was information the U.S. should have been sharing with its ally, American officials have consistently characterized his actions as a serious breach of national security that caused significant damage to U.S. intelligence operations.

The announcement of his parliamentary ambitions raises questions about which party he might represent and what platform he would champion in the Knesset. His background in intelligence matters and his unique personal history could potentially attract supporters who view him as someone who acted out of commitment to Israel's security, though his candidacy may also prove controversial.

Israeli officials have historically been divided on Pollard's actions, with some viewing him as having provided crucial intelligence to Israel during a critical period, while others have distanced themselves from the espionage case to avoid damaging relations with Washington. His arrival in Israel in 2020 was celebrated by some right-wing politicians who had long campaigned for his release and subsequent immigration to Israel.