The Israeli government, which has acknowledged that Pollard was its spy, granted him citizenship and has been lobbying for his release.

But while he is considered a patriot by the Israeli government, Pollard has been turned down for clemency by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

"I have no plans of releasing Jonathan Pollard immediately," Obama said during the interview.

The president also did not commit to reviewing the case other than to ensure that Pollard, as a U.S. citizen, is "accorded the same kind of review" given to all Americans.