Jonathan Pollard enters politics and backs Sharren Haskel: "You fought for me"
Former spy Jonathan Pollard has announced he is joining the "Israel First" party, founded by former deputy minister Sharren Haskel. In a statement at the Western Wall, he emphasized the need for accountability following October 7 and praised Haskel's past efforts on his behalf.
Former spy Jonathan Pollard announced on Sunday that he is joining the "Israel First" party — a platform established by former deputy minister Sharren Haskel ahead of the October elections. In a joint statement delivered near the Western Wall, Pollard said:
"On October 7, I saw that the country had been abandoned and betrayed. With you, Sharren, I hope there will be a new government dedicated to protecting the land and the people of Israel. I have known many Knesset members, but after October 7, no one wanted to take responsibility, until today."
He further added:
"The only way to prevent another October 7 is to put people like you in positions of responsibility, because I know where your heart is. You fought for me without bragging about it. You were quiet, loyal, and effective. And that is what we need in the new Knesset."
Pollard (72) is a Jewish-American who spied for Israel while working in the US Navy intelligence division. He was caught by the FBI in 1985 and was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released in 2015 and immigrated to Israel in 2020 after travel restrictions were lifted. During the 2022 election cycle, Pollard had announced his support for Ayelet Shaked, but retracted it the same day following pressure from the right.
Haskel stated:
"The 'Israel First' party is receiving a significant boost from a hero of Israel, who paid a very heavy personal price for his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people. To hear from him that he trusts me is a great honor and a great responsibility."
