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// DOSSIER — jonathan-pollard-knesset-run-israel-first-slate
Jonathan Pollard Announces Knesset Run on Sharren Haskel's 'Israel First' Slate
REL_TIME: 24 Aug 2026 15:42Z · LANG: EN
On August 23, 2026, former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst and convicted spy Jonathan Pollard announced his entry into Israeli politics, running for the Knesset on the slate of the newly formed 'Israel First' party. Appearing in a joint video at the Western Wall with party founder and MK Sharren Haskel, Pollard expressed sharp criticism of Israel's current leadership following the October 7, 2023 attacks, accusing them of abandoning the country. The 'Israel First' party, established by Haskel after she broke away from the New Hope party over Haredi military draft exemptions, campaigns on a platform of universal conscription, settlement expansion, and strong Zionist national security.
// Background
Jonathan Pollard was arrested by the FBI in 1985 for passing classified U.S. intelligence to Israel and was sentenced to life in prison in 1987. After serving 30 years, he was paroled in 2015 and immigrated to Israel in 2020, where he was initially welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sharren Haskel, a former Likud and New Hope lawmaker, founded 'Israel First' in July 2026 after resigning over a bill shielding ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, setting the stage for the upcoming October 2026 general elections.
// Key Developments
- Former U.S. spy Jonathan Pollard, 72, officially enters Israeli politics by joining the newly formed 'Israel First' party.
- Pollard will run on the Knesset slate led by MK Sharren Haskel, a former deputy foreign minister who recently broke with Gideon Sa'ar.
- The announcement was made via a joint video filmed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on August 23, 2026.
- Pollard heavily criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the post-Oct. 7 leadership, calling for a new right-wing coalition.
- The 'Israel First' platform focuses on universal military conscription, settlement expansion, and safeguarding Jerusalem.
// Timeline
-
Jonathan Pollard is arrested by the FBI in Washington for spying for Israel.
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Pollard is sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to espionage.
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Pollard is released from U.S. federal prison on parole.
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Pollard's travel restrictions expire, and he moves to Israel, greeted by PM Netanyahu.
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Pollard publicly declares his intention to enter Israeli politics.
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MK Sharren Haskel breaks with Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope party over Haredi draft legislation and forms 'Israel First'.
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Pollard and Haskel release a joint video at the Western Wall announcing Pollard's Knesset run on the 'Israel First' slate.
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Scheduled date for the Israeli general election.
// Perspectives
[Jonathan Pollard]
Advocates for a hardline right-wing coalition, universal national service, and Gaza annexation, while strongly criticizing Netanyahu's post-Oct. 7 leadership.
[Sharren Haskel]
Promotes a strong Zionist platform centered on universal conscription, settlement expansion, and refusing to apologize for Israel's Jewish identity, having split from New Hope over Haredi draft exemptions.
[Lt. Col. (res.) Roi Danino]
Supports Pollard's entry as a significant boost to a security-first, Zionist political path.
// Quotes
“I believe in Sharren. And I believe in Israel.”
“On October 7th, I saw that the entire country had been abandoned and betrayed.”
“To stand here today, near the Western Wall, and hear him say that he places his trust in me and in the path of 'Israel First' is a great privilege and a great responsibility.”
