In light of the present situation in the Middle East, Russia and Israel find themselves facing common challenges. Under these newly emerging situations, Russia sees its partnership with Israel as a potential asset in resolving acute regional issues. From a Russian perspective, the compatibility of Israeli and Russian interests could contribute to such a partnership.
The USSR officially recognized the State of Israel 65 years ago. Coincidentally, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu was visiting Russia during this time, while last year President Putin paid a visit to Israel, one of his first foreign visits after he became president for the third time. In addition, many other mutual visits have been made by political, business and academic delegations of both countries.
Russia is a veteran player in the Middle East, and as a consequence, the relationship with Russia has for many years been seen as extremely important for Israel’s leaders and for the Israeli public.
Historically, the relationship between Russia and Israel has been a long-standing and sometimes thorny one, with many ups and downs. It has left a considerable impact on both countries. In fact, Israel was partly founded by Russian immigrants, who instilled Russian cultural and philosophical values in the very foundation of Israel’s existence. The waves of immigration from the Soviet Union, Russia and the CIS have constituted a significant component of Israeli society.
The Soviet Union assisted in the creation of the state of Israel. However, during the Cold War the two nations were estranged for many years. Diplomatic relations were severed from 1967 until 1988. This was a period of hostility and even direct military confrontation in the Middle East, accompanied by the persecution of Jews in the Soviet Union.
Ties between the two countries, which were restored after the collapse of the Soviet Union, have been developing ever since, with both sides endeavoring to overcome difficulties and eliminate negative reminders of the past. Today, Russia sees Israel as a friendly country with which it shares many views and as a sought after ally in the international arena. As far as anyone can see, despite their troubled past the two countries have many things in common.
Politically, the relationship is good, despite opposing views on some issues. Economically too there has been an upsurge in a wide range of fields. Since the reestablishment of relations, they have become stable with willingness on both sides to deepen and extend mutual cooperation in many areas. The two sides have signed agreements in many spheres and bilateral trade between them is impressive, reflecting their ongoing political, economic, demographic and cultural efforts.
Economic cooperation is developing, among others, in the areas of high tech and energy resources.
In defense, cooperation is growing in counter-terrorism, reflecting the common challenges faced by both countries.
On the regional level, there is an ongoing political dialog, the depth and intensity of which is dependent on the global and regional situation. The Middle East is critical to Russia due to a combination of multiple factors while Russia strives to establish a configuration of allies to serve as the foundation for Russia's status in this region.
However, as important as bilateral relations are, some contradictions between the positions of the two countries also exist, mainly around their sometimes opposite interests in the realities of the Middle Eastern situation. The two sides differ on Iran and its nuclear program, on the radical axis of Iran, Syria and Hezbollah, which is supported by Russia, as well as on the vision of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In all those political areas, Moscow acts in accordance with its multi-vector foreign policy, simultaneously working with all sides while backing its allies.
The Arab Spring has created a new regional reality with complex ramifications for the international arena, and as a direct result Russia has reached a crossroads with regard to its policies in the region. In light of the new reality, concrete changes in Russian Middle Eastern policies have begun to emerge. Acting as one of the important architects of the new regional order, Russia’s best option might be to look for alternative regional partners.
In light of the present situation in the Middle East, Russia and Israel find themselves facing common challenges. Under these newly emerging situations, Russia sees its partnership with Israel as a potential asset in resolving acute regional issues. From a Russian perspective, the compatibility of Israeli and Russian interests could contribute to such a partnership.
As regards Israel, while being a loyal partner of the United States, one cannot rule out the possibility that Israel might also be interested in having Russia as one of its allies as part of its own multi-vector foreign policy. Under those circumstances, considering the new regional realities of a rapidly changing balance in the Middle East and growing uncertainty, coupled with common threats and a range of common interests, the Russian-Israeli partnership and close ties between the two countries have the potential to benefit both countries.
During the last meeting between Prime Minister Nеtanyahu and President Putin Russian side took a sympathy approach. It appears that all of the key questions about the Middle Eastern situation and particularly on the Syrian affair were debated and understandings were reached.
Views expressed are of individual Members and Contributors, rather than the Club's, unless explicitly stated otherwise.