Former US Spy Jonathan Pollard Enters Israeli Politics, Calls for Gaza Removal
Former US spy Jonathan Pollard says he will run for Israels Knesset on a platform of forcibly removing Gaza residents and annexing the territory.
TL;DR
Former US navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Pollard, convicted of spying for Israel and released after 30 years, announced he will seek a seat in Israel’s parliament on a platform calling for the forcible expulsion of Gaza’s population and its annexation by Israel. He says the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people motivated his political entry.
Context Pollard was arrested in 1985 after passing a large volume of classified U.S. documents to Israeli intelligence; he described the amount as enough to fill a 10‑foot‑by‑6‑foot‑by‑6‑foot room. He pleaded guilty in 1986, received a life sentence, but the plea deal was rejected and he was sentenced to 30 years. Released on parole in 2015 at age 61, he moved to Israel in 2020 after his parole restrictions ended and was welcomed by then‑Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While imprisoned, Pollard was championed by Netanyahu and granted Israeli citizenship. In recent interviews he has criticized Netanyahu’s handling of security, yet said he would support the prime minister if he remains in power after the upcoming elections.
Key Facts Pollard told Channel 13 that he “personally prefers the forcible removal of all current residents of Gaza, and the annexation of Gaza and its repopulation by us.” He cited the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on southern Israeli communities, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, as the reason he decided to run for office. He also reiterated that the classified material he passed to Israel was substantial enough to fill a sizable room, a detail he has used to describe the scale of his espionage.
What It Means Pollard’s candidacy introduces a hardline voice into Israeli electoral politics, advocating policies that would reshape Gaza’s demographic and territorial status. His alignment with a new party formed alongside Nissim Louk, whose daughter was killed in the October 7 attack, may appeal to voters frustrated with current security leadership. Observers will watch whether his platform gains traction in the October general election and how it influences debate over Israel’s future approach to Gaza.
What to watch next The October Israeli parliamentary election will reveal Pollard’s electoral viability and any shifts in party platforms regarding Gaza, as well as potential domestic and international reactions to his proposals.
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