Jonathan Pollard: Former Jewish spy lands in Israel 35 years after arrest

He and his wife, Esther, arrived on the private jet of American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, immediately kissing the ground after coming down the steps of their plane.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted the Pollards at Ben-Gurion Airport, handed Jonathan an identity card and recited the sheheheyanu (you kept us alive) and matir asurim (freeing of prisoners) prayers with them. Netanyahu said he is glad that they are home.

Sources close to the Pollards said Wednesday night they had no idea that Netanyahu was waiting for them at the airport until they saw him from the window of the plane.

“Now you can begin your lives anew in freedom and happiness,” Netanyahu said. “Now you are home.”

Pollard, 66, responded that he is “ecstatic” about living in Israel, and he is thankful to the people of Israel and to Netanyahu for helping him get home.

“No one could be prouder of this country or its leader than we are,” he said. “We hope to become productive citizens as soon as possible and to get on with our lives here. It is a wonderful country with a tremendous future. It is the future of the Jewish people – and we are not going anywhere.”

National Council of Young Israel executive director emeritus Rabbi Pesach Lerner, who has been close to the Pollards for many years, said they timed their arrival between medical treatments for Esther’s cancer, so she can get her next one following their quarantine.

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“Their goal was always to come to Israel as soon as possible, once they were cleared to come,” he said.

The Pollards have a furnished apartment in Jerusalem, though Lerner would not reveal in what neighborhood. Esther lived in the Holy City before she joined her husband in New York following his release from prison five years ago. They will move to the apartment after they finish their full two weeks of quarantine in an undisclosed location.

“He will not live a boring life,” Lerner said. “There are things he wants to do. There will be a time after the coronavirus that he will walk the streets, go to the Kotel, go shopping. He has plans.”

Asked what would happen if a political party tried to draft Pollard ahead of the March 23 election, Lerner said the answer would be no. Hours later, officials in three parties expressed interest in him running with them.

“He is not going into politics,” Lerner said. “He has been there, done that. He wants to contribute to society in a different way – and I am sure he will do that.’’

Sources close to Pollard said he was interested in working in hi-tech, energy and other industries. As for politics, a source close to him said “he has suffered enough.”

Politicians issued statements welcoming Pollard, including President Reuven Rivlin, Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz and prime ministerial candidate Gideon Sa’ar.

National Council of Young Israel president Farley Weiss, who was involved in the effort to bring about Pollard’s release from prison, recalled the long struggle that has finally ended.

“I am very grateful that Jonathan Pollard can finally live as a free person in the State of Israel with his wife, Esther,” Weiss said. “Former US national security adviser Bud McFarlane called Pollard’s life sentence a great injustice, so the end of this injustice has finally taken place with Pollard’s arrival in Israel.”