In 2023, Israeli PM Netanyahu referenced the biblical command to “Remember what Amalek did to you.” The Amalekites were ancient enemies of the Israelites, and the command to “remember” them was interpreted as an incitement to commence genocide against the Palestinians, whose land Israel occupies. However, history shows that Israel regards everyone outside their circle as Amalek—even the United States (which gifted Israel a third of a trillion dollars of its citizens’ tax money), as this diplomatic scandal from the 1980s shows…
Jonathan Pollard: The Espionage Scandal That Exposed Israel’s Duplicity
Jonathan Pollard’s journey from a U.S. Navy intelligence analyst to a celebrated figure in Israel perfectly underscores the uncomfortable truth about the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Despite being publicly portrayed as America’s closest ally, Israel has repeatedly engaged in activities that undermine American security interests. Pollard’s espionage is perhaps the most blatant example—a case where an ostensible friend stole highly sensitive intelligence, putting American lives at risk.
Early Life and Espionage Activities
Born in 1954 in Galveston, Texas, Pollard grew up in a Jewish family with strong Zionist beliefs. He attended Stanford University, where he studied political science and international relations. By the early 1980s, Pollard was working as a civilian intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy, focusing on threats from the Middle East and Soviet Union. However, his career was marred by concerns about his erratic behavior and exaggerated claims of foreign contacts, which raised suspicions among his colleagues.
In 1984, Pollard began passing classified information to Israel, including sensitive details about Arab and Soviet military capabilities. He later claimed that his actions were motivated by a moral obligation to protect Israel, though financial incentives also played a role. He received thousands of dollars in cash, expensive gifts, and promises of future compensation from Israeli intelligence operatives. The volume of material he provided was immense—reportedly tens of thousands of documents containing top-secret information, some of which had no relevance to Israel’s security but could be used for leverage against the U.S.
Pollard’s espionage activities were uncovered when his suspicious behavior was reported by colleagues. In 1985, after a failed attempt to seek asylum at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., he and his then-wife, Anne Henderson-Pollard, were arrested. In 1987, Pollard was sentenced to life in prison for violations of the Espionage Act, while his wife received a five-year sentence.
The Damage to American Security
Pollard’s betrayal had far-reaching consequences. The intelligence he stole included sensitive information on American signal intelligence capabilities and assessments of enemy threats. Worse, reports indicated that Israel had traded some of this information to the Soviet Union in exchange for securing better treatment for Jewish emigres. This revelation shattered the notion that Pollard’s espionage was simply about protecting Israel—it was about power, leverage, and betrayal.
The U.S. intelligence community assessed that Pollard’s actions severely compromised American security. The stolen documents revealed intelligence sources and methods, putting American operatives and foreign assets in grave danger. The damage was so severe that multiple high-ranking U.S. officials, including former CIA Director George Tenet, threatened to resign if Pollard were granted clemency.
Covert Pressure: The Lewinsky Leverage
Perhaps the most explosive twist in the Pollard saga emerged years after his sentencing. During the 1998 Wye River negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have confronted President Bill Clinton directly about Pollard’s release. According to journalist Daniel Halper’s book Clinton Inc, Netanyahu allegedly hinted that Israel had obtained audio recordings of Clinton’s intimate phone conversations with intern Monica Lewinsky—conversations reportedly captured through Israeli wiretaps on White House phone lines.
Though Israel assured Clinton that the tapes had been destroyed, the mere mention of them was perceived as a veiled threat. Halper wrote that Clinton appeared visibly shaken by the implication. According to sources, he even considered granting Pollard clemency—something he had refused to entertain during the first six years of his presidency. However, when CIA Director George Tenet threatened to resign over the matter, Clinton backed down.
While the Israeli government has denied the allegations, earlier reports had claimed that Israeli intelligence had penetrated multiple White House telephone lines, allowing real-time eavesdropping. The idea that an ally could secretly monitor the U.S. president’s personal conversations—and then use them as leverage—is a chilling reminder of the asymmetry and mistrust lurking beneath the surface of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Imprisonment and Israeli Advocacy
Throughout his 30-year incarceration, Israel consistently lobbied for Pollard’s release. In 1995, Israel granted him citizenship, and by 1998, it officially acknowledged him as an Israeli agent. Successive Israeli prime ministers, including Yitzhak Rabin, Ehud Barak, and Benjamin Netanyahu, petitioned U.S. presidents for clemency, using Pollard as a bargaining chip in negotiations.
Israel’s insistence on securing Pollard’s release, despite the overwhelming evidence of his betrayal, demonstrated a fundamental disregard for American security concerns. U.S. officials remained steadfast in their refusal, citing the extreme nature of his crimes. Some American Jewish organizations, while advocating for his humane treatment, expressed concern that his actions fueled anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jewish loyalty.
Release and Life in Israel
Pollard was released on parole in November 2015, with conditions restricting his movements, communications, and access to the internet. He was required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and was barred from leaving the United States. These restrictions expired in November 2020, allowing him to emigrate to Israel the following month. Upon arrival, he was warmly received by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who personally greeted him at the airport. His release was celebrated in Israel, where he was treated as a national hero rather than a criminal.
Historical Precedents: A Pattern of Betrayal
The Pollard case is not an isolated incident. Israel has a history of acting against U.S. interests, despite the public narrative of close friendship. One of the most egregious examples is the attack on the USS Liberty during the Six-Day War in 1967. Israeli warplanes and torpedo boats launched a sustained assault on the American surveillance ship, killing 34 U.S. naval officers and wounding 171 others. Despite Israel’s claims that the attack was a mistake, declassified U.S. intelligence and survivor testimonies suggest that Israel knowingly targeted the vessel to prevent the U.S. from gathering intelligence on its military operations in Sinai. This deliberate act of aggression against an ally was quickly covered up, with the U.S. government choosing diplomatic damage control over holding Israel accountable.
Israel has also been implicated in other espionage activities against the United States. In the 1980s, aside from Pollard’s case, Israeli intelligence operatives were suspected of acquiring classified American technology and military secrets. More recently, concerns have emerged regarding Israeli cyber espionage targeting U.S. infrastructure and intelligence networks, further challenging the notion of unwavering alliance.
