Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard calls for war on Iran, Turkey, Egypt
1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT
Jonathan Pollard, an Israeli spy convicted of betraying the United States, has called for Israel to prepare for war against Iran, Turkey, and Egypt. Pollard, who is launching a campaign for a Knesset seat, urged Israel to eliminate Iran from the map and identified Turkey and Egypt as future strategic threats.
Key Numbers
30 yearsprison sentence served by Pollard
$23bnmilitary aid to Israel since October 2023
Who's Involved
Jonathan Pollard
Israeli spy convicted of betraying the United States, running for Knesset
Sharren Haskel
Leader of the new right-wing party Israel First
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister who previously offered Pollard an electoral list spot
Itamar Ben Gvir
National Security Minister, friend of Pollard
↳ Why This Matters
Jonathan Pollard's inflammatory rhetoric, calling for war against Iran, Turkey, and Egypt, escalates regional tensions and highlights the potential for further conflict in the Middle East. His entry into Israeli politics on a platform of expansion and warfare could influence regional dynamics and international relations.
Key facts
Jonathan Pollard, an Israeli spy convicted of espionage against the US, is campaigning for a Knesset seat.
Pollard called for Israel to eliminate Iran from the map.
He identified Turkey and Egypt as Israel's next major strategic threats.
Pollard advocated for Israel to advance its border to the Litani River in Lebanon.
He urged Israel to attack Iran independently of US support.
Jonathan Pollard, an Israeli spy convicted of espionage against the United States, has called for Israel to prepare for war against Iran, Turkey, and Egypt as he launches his campaign for a Knesset seat. Pollard, who spent 30 years in prison for passing classified US documents to Israel, urged Israel to eliminate Iran from the map and identified Turkey and Egypt as its next major strategic threats.
In an interview with Israeli news channel ILTV, Pollard stated, "I hate to put it that way, but Turkey and Egypt are coming up next as our major strategic threat." He also advocated for Israel to push its border north to the Litani River in Lebanon and urged Israel to attack Iran without waiting for Washington's approval, stating, "We have the resources, we just don't have the willingness to go ahead and take Iran off the map."
Pollard's comments come amid ongoing regional conflicts, with Israel having attacked Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Qatar, Yemen, and Iran in recent years. Despite maintaining diplomatic relations and a peace treaty with Egypt since 1979, and having security and trade ties with Turkey, Pollard's rhetoric presents these nations as future enemies. He also warned that Israel might not have an easy time with Turkey as it has had with Iran.
Pollard was arrested in 1985 and pleaded guilty to espionage. After his release in 2015, he moved to Israel and acquired citizenship. He has since been a supporter of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and has backed calls for the ethnic cleansing of occupied Palestine. Pollard announced his intention to run for the Knesset with Israel First, a new right-wing party led by former deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel. He has previously criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but stated he would support him if he retained power.
Frequently asked questions
Jonathan Pollard is an American-born former US Navy intelligence analyst who served 30 years in prison for passing classified documents to Israel. He later moved to Israel and acquired citizenship.
Pollard is launching a campaign for a seat in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, with the new right-wing party Israel First.
Pollard has called for Israel to eliminate Iran from the map and identified Turkey and Egypt as future strategic threats, advocating for war against them. He also supports pushing Israel's border north to the Litani River in Lebanon.
Egypt and Turkey both maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. While relations with Turkey have been strained at times, particularly over the Gaza conflict, they have historically maintained security and trade ties.
What Happens Next
01Pollard will participate in the Knesset election in October.
How It Developed
Jonathan Pollard, an Israeli spy, called on Israel to prepare for war against Egypt and Turkey.
Pollard identified Iran as a target to be wiped 'off the map'.
He stated that Turkey and Egypt are the next major strategic threats.
Pollard also advocated for Israel to push its border north to the Litani River in Lebanon.
He urged Israel to attack Iran without waiting for Washington's approval.
Pollard announced his candidacy for a Knesset seat in the upcoming October election.
He previously served 30 years in prison for passing classified US documents to Israel.
