Jonathan Pollard, the former American intelligence analyst convicted of spying for Israel, has triggered controversy after suggesting that Israel may face future military conflict with Turkey and Egypt following the current tensions involving Iran.
Speaking during a podcast interview with Israeli outlet Arutz Sheva, Pollard reportedly warned that “the storm is coming” and claimed Israel should prepare for additional regional wars in the future. According to reports covering the interview, Pollard said Israel’s next major confrontation could potentially involve both Turkey and Egypt.
Pollard reportedly stated, “We have to be prepared for the next war, which will probably be against Turkiye and Egypt” while also warning that Israel could face more difficulty confronting Turkey than it did against Iran.
The remarks quickly spread across social media platforms and regional news outlets, sparking speculation and concern about rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. However, analysts noted that Pollard’s comments reflect his personal opinions and do not represent official Israeli government policy or confirmed military plans. No Israeli government authority has announced any intention to attack Egypt or Turkey.
Pollard remains a highly controversial figure internationally. He was arrested in 1985 after passing classified US intelligence documents to Israel while serving as a civilian intelligence analyst for the US Navy. In 1987, he received a life sentence under the Espionage Act and ultimately spent 30 years in prison before being released on parole in 2015. He later moved to Israel after restrictions on his travel were lifted.
In recent years, Pollard has become increasingly active in Israeli political and nationalist discussions. He recently announced plans to enter Israeli politics and has publicly taken hardline positions on regional security and the Gaza conflict.
The comments come amid worsening tensions between Israel and several regional powers following the Gaza war and wider instability across the Middle East. Relations between Israel and Turkey have become increasingly strained over Gaza-related issues, while concerns about regional military alignments and border security have also intensified discussions involving Egypt.
Despite the attention generated by Pollard’s remarks, experts emphasized that they should not be interpreted as evidence of imminent war or official Israeli strategy. Observers noted that Pollard currently holds no official military or government position capable of determining Israeli foreign policy decisions.
