"It's a miracle!" Jonathan Pollard cried two nights ago as he boarded the plane that would take him to Israel.
Thirty-five years after he was arrested by American law enforcement, Pollard fulfilled his life's dream and made aliyah in a secret mission that only a few people knew about. At 2:59 a.m. Wednesday, the plane's wheels touched down on the runway. Pollard recited the Shehecheyanu prayer. Later, he got off the plane, kneeled on the ground, and kissed it. His wife, Esther, who was right behind him, did the same.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
'In freedom and happiness'
Thus ends a 37-year-old espionage affair that shook up Israeli-US relations, for which Pollard himself paid the heavy price: seven years in solitary confinement, 23 years in prison, and five years of probation. This was the heaviest sentence ever handed down to a spy of his caliber in the history of the US.
Upon arrival in Israel, Pollard was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who worked hard for years to secure the release of the Israeli spy. Netanyahu also recited Shehecheyanu and added a blessing for the release of bonds. He then handed Esther and Jonathan their Israeli ID cards and told them, "How wonderful that you've come home. Now you can start a new life, in freedom and happiness. Now you're home."
Pollard thanked the prime minister for his efforts to get him released and for allowing the couple to make aliyah. "We are thrilled to finally be home after 35 years. We thank the people of Israel and the prime minister of Israel for bringing us home. There is no one prouder of this country, or its leader, than we are."
An apartment in Jerusalem
Pollard stressed that he and Esther intended to "become productive citizens as soon as possible and continue our lives here. This is a wonderful country. It has a brilliant future. It is the future of the Jewish people and we aren't going anywhere."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
Pollard's arrival in Israel was made possible after the Trump administration last month agreed to remove the last restrictions on him, effectively allowing him to leave the US. Since then, the couple and a group of volunteers were busy arranging their living situation in Israel. An apartment was prepared for them in Jerusalem, and they reached out to a hospital to continue Esther's cancer treatment. At the same time, generous Jews Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson lent the couple their private plane to allow them to arrive in Israel privately, with the necessary medical support. On Tuesday afternoon, the couple left their home in New York for the airport. Having suffered all his years in prison, and from attacks by US authorities, Pollard was tense. He was afraid that while en route to the airport, something would happen at the last minute that would delay the great moment.
Very exited
But when the two went through passport control and boarded the plane, his mood changed. He was very excited and told those around him, "It's a miracle." During the flight, Pollard joked with the crew and prayed. As the aircraft approached Israel, he was invited to the cockpit, from where he saw the Israeli coastline for the first time. Upon arrival, Jonathan and Esther Pollard entered the mandatory two-week quarantine. When it is over, they intend to find jobs in Israel and make use of the vast knowledge they have acquired over the years to benefit Israel.
Ariel Kahana contributed to this report.
The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom.
