From Spy to Candidate: Jonathan Pollard Officially Enters Israeli Politics
Sparked by the events of October 7, Pollard is campaigning on a hardline right-wing platform that includes the "full transfer" of the Gaza population and a complete overhaul of Israel's security leadership.
In a revealing interview with Channel 13 on Monday evening, Jonathan Pollard confirmed his transition into the political arena. Pollard explained that while he had deliberated the move for a long time, the national trauma of the October 7 terror attacks served as the final "turning point," convincing him that he must take an active role in the country’s leadership.
Pollard will be running alongside Nissim Louk, the father of Shani Louk, who was murdered by terrorists during the Simchat Torah massacre.
A Hardline Vision: "Full Transfer for Gazans"
Pollard used the interview to lay out a staunchly right-wing platform. He criticized the current conduct of the war, stating bluntly that Israel is "not winning" the campaign under its current trajectory.
Key pillars of his platform include:
Regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pollard stated he would respect any democratic decision made by the public. However, he emphasized the need for a deep investigation into the leadership's failures starting from the outbreak of the war on October 7.
Refusal to Work with Bennett
Pollard also addressed potential political alliances, notably ruling out any cooperation with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. While acknowledging that Bennett may be "correct" in some of his criticisms of Netanyahu, Pollard argued that Bennett's past security decisions make him an unsuitable partner.
"There is a need for leadership that will restore deterrence and victory," Pollard concluded, positioning himself as a candidate focused on a fundamental overhaul of Israel’s defensive and offensive strategies.