Israel's prime minister says he will discuss the fate of an Israeli spy imprisoned in the U.S. during President Barack Obama's upcoming visit.

Jonathan Pollard was a civilian intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy when he gave thousands of classified documents to his Israeli handlers. Pollard was arrested in 1985 and sentenced to life in prison two years later.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Pollard's wife, Esther, Monday. He told her "this issue will come up" during Obama's visit, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office. He said "the time has come for (Pollard) to go free."

Obama is expected in Israel later this month.

Pollard's case has become a rallying cry for Israelis who feel he has been excessively punished. Last year Netanyahu appealed to Obama to release Pollard.