JERUSALEM — Israeli President Shimon Peres has dispatched a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to release convicted spy Jonathan Pollard.

The former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst received a life sentence in 1987 for leaking classified documents to Israel.

Many Israelis believe the sentence was too harsh, and officials often demand his release.

In his letter Monday, Peres pleaded with Obama to release Pollard for humanitarian reasons. The 57-year-old Pollard was hospitalized last week. Peres hosted Pollard's wife on Sunday.

Democratic and Republican administrations in the U.S. have repeatedly refused Israeli appeals to release the convicted spy.

The White House on Monday said its position has not changed and that the president has no intention to release Pollard.