Jerusalem - Senior Israeli officials are considering a deal in which the moratorium on building starts in West Bank settlements would be extended for three months in exchange for the release of convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard from the United States, Army Radio reported Monday.

According to the report, Israeli sources submitted the potential deal to US sources in Washington, but it was not known if or how they reacted.

The Prime Minister’s Office responded to the report, stating that they were not aware of the US being approached with the deal and reaffirming that the building moratorium will end on September 26 as scheduled.

Danny Dayan, head of the settlement movement’s Yesha Council, was extremely critical of a potential freeze extension for Pollard deal.

“It’s ugly blackmail, equivalent to giving up the Golan [Heights] in exchange for Gilad Schalit.”

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Adi Ginsberg, an executive member of the Jerusalem-based Committee to Bring Jonathan Pollard Home, was doubtful that such a deal was possible.

A former civilian intelligence analyst for the US Navy, Pollard was convicted of spying for Israel 25 years ago and received a life sentence for passing classified information to an ally. He is currently being held at a North Carolina prison.