Looking the Other Way

Jonathan Pollard was commissioned by Israel to spy on the United States for one reason, say some on the Hill: to ascertain whether Washington believed the rumor that South Africa had exploded a nuclear bomb off its coast a few years ago as a test for its friend and ally, Israel. After all, Israel has all the other intelligence from the U.S. that it needs. “If Washington discovered this South African favor for Israel,” notes an informed Washington source, “and it were publicized, the effect on U.S. aid to Israel would be devastating.” This report of Israeli-South African nuclear collusion continues to surface among Washington insiders, but so far no one has been able to say whether it is true.

True or not, as winter settles in over the nation’s capital, the U.S.-Israel tie is being scrutinized as it has never been before. The arrests of spy suspects Jonathan Jay Pollard and his wife, Anne Henderson-Pollard, have spurred legislators and Middle East observers alike to assess the impact on a close relationship of nearly forty years’ standing.

JM

About the Author

John McLaughlin

Featured Tags

Jonathan Pollard was commissioned by Israel to spy on the United States for one reason, say some on the Hill: to ascertain whether Washington believed the rumor that South Africa had exploded a nuclear bomb off its coast a few years ago as a test for its friend and ally, Israel. After all, Israel has all the other intelligence from the U.S. that it needs. “If Washington discovered this South African favor for Israel,” notes an informed Washington source, “and it were publicized, the effect on U.S. aid to Israel would be devastating.” This report of Israeli-South African nuclear collusion continues to surface among Washington insiders, but so far no one has been able to say whether it is true.

True or not, as winter settles in over the nation’s capital, the U.S.-Israel tie is being scrutinized as it has never been before. The arrests of spy suspects Jonathan Jay Pollard and his wife, Anne Henderson-Pollard, have spurred legislators and Middle East observers alike to assess the impact on a close relationship of nearly forty years’ standing.