‘Loyalty and Zionism’: Esther Pollard passes away
Esther Pollard, the wife of former Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, passed away on Monday morning.
Esther Pollard with her husband Jonathan in the first photograph following his release from prison. Credit: Justice for Jonathan Pollard.
Pollard has been contending with cancer in recent years. She was infected with the Coronavirus, and her situation deteriorated in recent days. She was 68 years old.
The Pollards arrived in Israel in December 2020 to live in Jerusalem, 35 after Jonathan was arrested for spying for Israel.
Pollard said in a statement that “I did not imagine in my worst nightmares that I would lose Esther. After decades of fighting for my release, I felt so helpless that I could not help her in her struggle for life.”
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, Jonathan Pollard’s attorney, eulogized Esther and said that “she acted fearlessly out of a genuine belief in the righteousness of her way. Every day she was by his side, in every prison house and in every crisis and did not look right or left until they finally landed in the Land of Israel to begin their free path.”
“It hurts so much to hear this morning that she enjoyed the joint freedom for only one year in total. I send sincere condolences to Jonathan and the whole family,” she added.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that he was “sorry to hear of the passing of Esther Pollard, a woman whose devotion and love for Jonathan Pollard had become a symbol of strength, determination and faith.”
Member of Knesset (MK) Bezalel Smotrich stated that he “shares in the heavy mourning of Jonathan Pollard over the death of his faithful and heroic wife Esther.”
“I pray that God will give him the strength to overcome the great loss and continue in a good and healthy life for days and years,” he added.
MK Itamar Ben Gvir stated that “the heart is broken in two, upon hearing this morning about the death of the late Esther Pollard, who gave her life for the State of Israel together with her husband Jonathan Pollard. I send my condolences to her husband and family. The people of Israel will not forget your devotion. In the building of Zion and Jerusalem, you will be comforted.”
MK Michal Waldiger said that “the heart aches, Esther Pollard passed away after she fell ill with Corona and was battling cancer. Esther Pollard is a lesson in the strongest faith! She is an extraordinary inspiration to a woman who fought, believed and did not give up for 35 years, she is an example of courage, loyalty and Zionism.”
Pollard will be buried in Jerusalem.
After serving 30 years in a US prison for his espionage activity for Israel, Jonatan Pollard, a former US Navy analyst, was released in 2015 but was banned from leaving the US and was placed under several other limitations. Under the terms of his parole, Pollard was forced to remain in the US until 2020 unless he receives permission from the president to leave. The restrictions ended and were not extended.
Pollard’s wife Esther, an Israeli citizen, was contending with advanced cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, and so the Pollards’ arrival in Israel was delayed.
