Sharren Haskel, left, Jonathan Pollard, center and political strategist Roi Danino in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem, in a picture distributed on August 23, 2026. (Courtesy 'Israel First')
Ex-spy Jonathan Pollard runs for Knesset elections
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Jonathan Pollard joins Haskel’s ‘Israel First’ party.
- Pollard enters Israeli politics ahead of elections.
- Pollard backs Haskel, rejects Netanyahu and Eisenkot.
- Haskel’s party pushes Zionist unity, settlements.
- Pollard calls for new right-wing leadership.
Former US Navy intelligence analyst, and ex-spy to 'Israel' Jonathan Pollard has joined the "Israel First" party led by Member of Knesset Sharren Haskel, the two announced in a joint video statement recorded near the Western Wall.
Pollard, who served 30 years in a US federal prison after pleading guilty to espionage for providing classified defense information to 'Israel', endorsed Haskel's leadership and the party's platform.
"I believe in Sharren. And I believe in Israel," Pollard stated in the recorded message.
Haskel, a former deputy foreign minister who formed 'Israel First' after leaving the New Hope faction, welcomed Pollard’s endorsement.
She described his entry as a significant boost for her party’s push to build a broad Zionist platform.
Break with Netanyahu
Pollard’s political alignment marks a notable shift.
After completing his parole restrictions in the United States and moving to 'Israel' in late 2020, he was personally greeted at the airport by the 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, Pollard has since emerged as a vocal critic of Netanyahu's government, calling for political change while simultaneously rejecting key opposition leaders like Gadi Eisenkot.
"I'm hoping that with Sharren's leadership, we can form a coalition on the right large enough to make a true conservative government a reality," Pollard said, emphasizing his desire to avoid reliance on opposition figures while creating a broad right-leaning government.
Draft conscription stance
Haskel established the Israel First party following her resignation from the government over legislation that froze the arrest of Haredi draft evaders.
Her party's platform centers on universal conscription into the 'Israeli' military, expanding settlement initiatives, and positioning itself as an alternative for right-wing voters dissatisfied with the current ruling coalition.
Pollard, who announced his intention to enter politics earlier this year, has previously advocated for hardline positions, including mandatory national service for all citizens and the annexation and repopulation of the Gaza Strip.
