Jonathan Pollard, once jailed in US for spying, says he will enter Israeli politics

Key Points:

• Jonathan Pollard, a former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst who served 30 years in prison for spying for Israel, announced his decision to enter Israeli politics and run in the next election, citing the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack as a turning point.
• Pollard expressed hard-line views on Gaza, supporting a “full transfer” of its population, and criticized Israel’s current leadership, calling for new leadership with a clearer policy to win the war.
• He plans to run alongside Nissim Louk, father of Shani Louk, a high-profile victim of the Oct. 7 attack, whose death and recovery of her remains have made her family prominent advocates for victims and hostages.
• Pollard remains a controversial figure due to his 1986 conviction for espionage against the U.S., serving 30 years in prison, with his parole restrictions ending in 2020 before he immigrated to Israel in 2020.
• While he expressed willingness to cooperate with some Israeli political leaders, Pollard strongly opposed working with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett despite agreeing with his criticism of Netanyahu.