Israel, although closely depending on assist from the US, Germany and different Western nations, has been noticeably out of step with them in terms of relations with Russia throughout its struggle of conquest in Ukraine.
Lengthy earlier than Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, the nation refused Ukrainian requests to ship arms or to use widespread sanctions on Russia, together with stopping flights to the nation. Regardless of the eagerness of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, himself Jewish, to go to the nation and present solidarity after the assault, he has by no means made the journey.
The explanations replicate Israel’s distinctive safety wants and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s delicate relationship with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, a major supporter of Israel’s enemies within the area whom Israel can’t afford to offend.
As Israel’s struggle with Hamas enters its sixth month, Mr. Netanyahu wants Mr. Putin’s good will to assist constrain Iran specifically and to proceed to strike Iranian targets in Syria whereas making an attempt to keep away from harming the forces Russia maintains there.
So Mr. Netanyahu has persistently given the Russian chief extensive latitude, even on the danger of alienating Israel’s primary allies in Europe and the US.
“Israel is taking part in on a fragile tightrope,” mentioned Emmanuel Navon, the Israel-based government director of ELNET Israel, a nongovernmental group that seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties between Israel and Europe.
However at the same time as Israel treads calmly in terms of Russia, the connection stays vastly lopsided. Mr. Putin has been a vocal critic of Israel, utilizing condemnation of Israel’s struggle in Gaza to enchantment to the World South, a time period for an off-the-cuff group of growing and underdeveloped international locations, a few of whom have been crucial of the US, Europe and the present world order.
After Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault, which Israeli authorities say killed about 1,200 folks, most of them civilians, Mr. Putin mentioned nothing for 3 days. Then, with out expressing condolences for Israel or the victims, the Russian chief criticized the US, calling Oct. 7 “a transparent instance of the failure of United States coverage within the Center East.”
Ever since, Russia has been vocal in condemning Israel’s struggle towards Hamas, which has killed greater than 31,000, together with combatants, however a majority of the whole are girls and youngsters, based on Gazan well being authorities.
“When Oct. 7 rolled round, Putin discovered a ready-made concern, to not break relations with Israel, however to start distancing” Russia from Israel, mentioned Aaron David Miller, a former American diplomat on the Carnegie Endowment for Worldwide Peace.
On the United Nations, Russia has questioned Israel’s right to self-defense and repeatedly known as for a humanitarian cease-fire to halt Israel’s army marketing campaign. Russia has additionally amplified pro-Hamas views on-line.
Russian officers have expressed sympathy or assist for South Africa’s cost on the Worldwide Court docket of Justice that Israel is committing genocide, which Israel denies.
On the similar time, Russia has additionally used the struggle in Gaza to defend its personal struggle in Ukraine. The West, it argues, has been hypocritical to sentence Russia’s assaults on civilians in Ukraine whereas supporting what it considers to be comparable Israeli assaults on civilians in Gaza.
In late October, Russia hosted a Hamas delegation in Moscow, which the Israeli overseas ministry known as “reprehensible.” In late February, Russia hosted one other Hamas delegation for a gathering of Palestinians in Moscow.
After a December name between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Putin, which Mr. Miller of Carnegie mentioned mirrored the stress between the 2 nations, Mr. Netanyahu mentioned he had criticized Russia for supporting Iran, whereas Mr. Putin mentioned he had criticized Israel for the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
Up to now, Mr. Netanyahu had boasted of his wonderful relationship with Mr. Putin and his self-described capacity to cope with nice powers. Now “that relationship is extra of a legal responsibility than a bonus,” Mr. Miller mentioned.
Simply final Friday, the Russian ambassador to Tel Aviv, Anatoly Viktorov, was known as to the Israeli International Workplace to protest remarks by Russian officers on the United Nations casting doubt on a U.N. report supporting findings of sexual violence by Hamas. In early February, Russia summoned the Israeli ambassador to Moscow, Simona Halperin, over “unacceptable remarks” that they mentioned distorted Russia’s overseas coverage.
The deepening connection between Russia and Iran in the course of the Ukraine struggle has additionally raised considerations for Israeli and American officers. Tehran has supplied Moscow with drones, missiles and different weaponry.
Arkady Mil-Man, a former Israeli ambassador to Russia now on the Institute for Nationwide Safety Research at Tel Aviv College, mentioned that Mr. Netanyahu appeared to disregard that “Israel is perceived as an enemy by the Russians.”
The connection between Israel and Russia would solely worsen, he mentioned, as a result of “the Russians selected a clearly anti-Israeli facet.”
However Israel can hardly afford a break in relations.
A big variety of Israeli residents emigrated from the previous Soviet Union and made their lives in Israel. However Israel nonetheless has a stake in searching for the Jewish inhabitants that is still in Russia. In late October, a mob stormed a Russian airport to seek for Jews on an incoming flight from Israel.
“We wish to preserve the door open,” mentioned Sarah Fainberg, the director of Tel Aviv College’s analysis program on Russia and China’s function within the Center East. It was essential that the Jewish Company, a nonprofit that helps Jews immigrate to Israel, remained operational in Russia, she mentioned: “We would like to have the ability to rescue this inhabitants in instances of emergency.”
Whereas antisemitism isn’t new in Russia, Ms. Fainberg mentioned, Mr. Putin’s new antagonism towards Israel has raised considerations. “Previously, we thought there was an antisemitic Russia however a pro-Jewish president,” she mentioned. “Now issues have modified.”