JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says the United States has freed convicted spy Jonathan Pollard from federal prison after nearly 30 years and the Israeli prime minister has issued a statement welcoming the release.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in the statement on Friday that “the people of Israel welcome the release of Jonathan Pollard. After three long and difficult decades, Jonathan has been reunited with his family. May this Sabbath bring him much joy and peace.”

There was no immediate confirmation of the release from U.S. officials.

The release of Pollard, 61, marks the end an espionage case that divided public opinion and became both an irritant and a periodic bargaining chip between the United States and Israel.