Russia
Israel eyes political repercussions if Russia shuts down Jewish Agency
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid instructed that measures be prepared if agency forced to close • Israeli delegation to Moscow delayed due to a visa hold-up.
Lapid: Shuttering Jewish Agency in Russia could have ‘serious impact on diplomatic relations’
A senior Israeli delegation has been instructed to spare no effort to halt a Russian order to cease the Agency’s operations in the country.
The attempt to punish Israel for its stance on the war with Ukraine is “deplorable and offensive. The Jews of Russia cannot be detached from their historical and emotional connection to the State of Israel,” said Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai.
Israel is clearly concerned that Russia’s criticism could move from rhetoric to action.
During a visit to Tehran by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran’s leader claims that the West “would have created a war anyway” had Moscow not invaded Ukraine.
The development comes amid tensions centered on Israel’s position on the war in Ukraine.
Moscow demands the “unconditional cessation” of Jerusalem’s effort to curb Iranian military build-up across northern border.
The United States led off with a condemnation of a recent Gaza rocket attack, while others blamed the construction of Jewish homes as the primary obstacle to peace.
Addressing concerns over the balancing act, Jonathan Spyer at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security emphasized Jerusalem’s need “to keep the Russia deconfliction process between the Kirya [Israel’s Pentagon] and the Khmeimim Air Base in Syria’s Latakia province on track.”
The main topics are likely to be Iran, a Middle East security alliance, the future of the Palestinian Authority, the Russia-Ukraine-Syria triangle and the “I2U2” coalition, experts tell JNS.
Kremlin summons Israeli envoy over Damascus airport strike
“Israeli justifications for the attack appear unconvincing and Moscow awaits further clarifications,” says Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
Israeli Energy Minister Karin Elharrar: “This is a statement to those who see in our region only negative forces such as division and conflict.”
