Pollard joins Israel First
Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted in the United States in 1987 of spying for Israel, has announced he is joining MK Sharren Haskel's Israel First party ahead of the upcoming Knesset election. The announcement was made in a joint statement filmed near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. Pollard publicly declared support for Haskel and the political direction of Israel First, a new right-wing party launched by former deputy foreign minister Haskel in July.
"I believe in Sharren. And I believe in Israel," Pollard said during the joint statement, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Haskel welcomed Pollard's support, describing his decision as a significant boost for Israel First. "The Israel First party is receiving significant reinforcement today from Israeli hero Jonathan Pollard, who paid a very heavy personal price for his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people," she said. In a further remark, Haskel added: "To stand here today, near the Western Wall, and hear from him that he places his trust in me and in the path of 'Israel First' is a great privilege and a great responsibility. I accept that trust with humility and determination."
Background and record
Pollard was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for spying and providing Israel with top-secret classified information, having pleaded guilty to the charges, as reported by both The Jewish Chronicle and the Jerusalem Post. He was released on parole in 2015, according to the Jerusalem Post, after serving 30 years in prison, per The Jewish Chronicle. Pollard stayed in the US until 2020, when he immigrated to Israel and received a hero's welcome from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
The Jewish Chronicle notes that Pollard made aliyah in 2020. In recent years, he has become an outspoken advocate of hardline right-wing policies, criticising both Netanyahu and former premier Naftali Bennett, as stated by The Jewish Chronicle. The Jerusalem Post also reports that Pollard has since become a strong critic of Netanyahu and has said the current government must be replaced in the upcoming election.
Political positions and party strategy
The Jewish Chronicle reported that back in 2002, while Pollard was serving his life sentence in the United States, there was a failed attempt to place him on the list of the small nationalist Herut party ahead of the 16th Knesset elections. Earlier this year, according to The Jewish Chronicle, Pollard said he favoured the 'forcible transfer' of Gaza's current residents and the annexation and repopulation of the Strip by Israelis, positions that align with the most nationalist fringes of the Israeli right.
Israel First, by contrast, is positioning itself in the so-called 'third bloc' of centre-right parties, aiming to force a compromise between Likud and the main opposition factions to create a broad Zionist unity government, as reported by The Jewish Chronicle.
Perspectives
The story presents two distinct viewpoints, one from Pollard and one from Haskel.
Pollard: He expressed confidence in Haskel, saying, "I believe in Sharren. And I believe in Israel." He has also called for the current government to be replaced, indicating a critical stance toward the existing leadership.
Haskel: She welcomed Pollard's support, calling him an "Israeli hero" who paid a heavy personal price for his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people. She emphasized the significance of his trust and the responsibility she feels, saying she accepts it with humility and determination.