Former spy says Israel must choose strength, self-reliance, and Aliyah as Western antisemitism rises.
Jonathan Pollard sharply criticized Israeli and American leadership in a wide-ranging interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, warning that Israel must urgently move toward full military and strategic independence.
Speaking with podcaster Martin “the Bulldog” Buksdorf, Pollard argued that Israel has become too dependent on Washington and must adopt what he called an “Israel first doctrine.” He said the Jewish state cannot remain an American auxiliary and must build the strength to make sovereign decisions without hesitation or foreign pressure.
Pollard criticized Israeli leaders for deferring too often to American demands, saying President Donald Trump “does not respect weakness.” He argued that Israel must negotiate, fight, and plan from a position of confidence and military self-sufficiency.
He also revealed that he abandoned plans to enter politics after receiving death threats from both left-wing and right-wing critics. Pollard said remaining outside party politics allows him to speak freely without being silenced by political discipline.
The interview focused heavily on Israel’s security future, with Pollard warning of threats from Iran, Turkey, and extremist forces in Syria. He said Israel must prepare for larger conflicts, strengthen defense procurement, adopt new technologies faster, and remove bureaucratic delays that weaken national readiness.
Pollard also warned that rising antisemitism in the West makes Aliyah increasingly urgent, declaring that the only truly safe place for Jews is the Holy Land. He criticized Israeli leaders for failing to prepare for future waves of Jewish immigration.
