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Pollard drops Knesset bid following death threats

Former spy ends short-lived Knesset bid after receiving death threats, laments that Israel has become a vassal of the United States.

By World Israel News Staff

Jonathan Pollard ended his short-lived Knesset bid this week, citing death threats he received after announcing his plans to run in this year’s election.

Speaking with Israel National News in an interview published Monday night, the 71-year-old former US Navy intelligence analyst said that his recent announcement of a run for the Knesset had drawn anger from across the political spectrum and resulted in a wave of death threats.

“I got overwhelmed with death threats,” Pollard said.

Pollard said criticism from the left was driven in part by his view that Israeli hostages should be freed “by strength, not by concession.”

He also addressed criticism from supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he had repeatedly expressed gratitude to Netanyahu for his role in efforts connected to his release but that many others were also involved.

“There were a host of people who played very important roles in securing my release,” Pollard said, naming his late wife Esther; Ron Dermer; Miriam and the late Sheldon Adelson; and Rabbi Pesach Lerner.

Pollard also used the interview to criticize Israel’s political establishment and the US-Israel relationship, lamenting that Israel has become a vassal of the United States.

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“We are an American auxiliary. We are not independent,” Pollard said.

Pollard also warned that Israel faces growing threats from Iran, Turkey and extremist elements in Syria, and said the country must prepare for the possibility of future large-scale wars.

He also criticized Israeli bureaucracy and defense procurement, arguing that excessive caution and delays have slowed the adoption of technologies and policies needed to meet modern threats.

Pollard said rising antisemitism in Western countries had made immigration to Israel increasingly urgent, accusing many Jewish communities abroad of failing to recognize the danger.

“The only safe place for a Jew is right here in the Holy Land,” he said.

At the same time, he criticized Israeli leaders for what he described as insufficient preparation for future waves of Aliyah, saying the state must be ready to absorb Jews who may be forced to leave increasingly hostile countries.

Pollard said his decision to remain outside politics would allow him to speak more freely on security and national strategy.

“When you have this thing called party discipline, you can’t speak your mind,” he said. “Now it’s much more liberating to be able to sit as I am now… and discuss options, to discuss what we’re doing right, what we’re doing wrong.”