Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them in 1991, Russia and Israel have managed a complex relationship, which has seen quite a few ups and downs. The crisis of closing the offices of the Jewish Agency in Moscow is a new complication, adding to the tensions that have prevailed between the countries since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. This tension arose, among other things, against the background of a gas export agreement that Israel signed last month with the European Union, the attacks in Syria attributed to Israel against Iranian targets, and the harsh condemnation from Moscow following the shelling of the Damascus airport.
The tensions have apparently reached their peak due to Israel’s support for the West’s position regarding the war in Ukraine, adding to the heavy pressures under which Russia is under due to its international isolation and the harsh sanctions imposed on it. However, it is important to understand that Russian-Israeli relations are based on a web of interests and ties that carry great importance. These relationships have a special character and follow their own path based on common positions, alongside conflicting interests and fundamental disagreements between the parties.
Israel is seen by Russia as a leading regional power in the economic, military and technological fields, alongside being a key ally of its arch rival, the USA.
Russia is seen by Israel as an important power and a strong strategic partner, sharing with it, among other things, a common interest in promoting security in the Middle East, while maintaining stability in Syria and containing Iran – two bitter enemies of Israel. Therefore, those who observe the dynamics between Russia and Israel, will notice that this is a complex episode related to the steps taken by Russia to establish its position as the dominant power in the region and its position as a dominant power on the world stage.
The crisis of the Jewish Agency in Russia (Reuters)
The Kremlin leaders have always attached great importance to the Middle East. Regardless of the competition with the West, they worked to strengthen Russia’s position and influence in the region, promoting its political, economic and security interests and achieving its goals and strategic assets in the international arena.
After the collapse of the Soviet bloc, and especially since 2000 with Putin’s ascension to power, the importance of the region and Israel increased in the eyes of the Kremlin. The ITZ is seen as an important geopolitical and commercial axis, as well as a strategic meeting place for Russia’s regional and global interests. In addition, it is a focal point for international competition with the US and its allies, primarily Israel and NATO countries.
If that’s not enough, recently, against the background of the gas discoveries in the region, and even more so against the background of the war in Europe and the global upheavals in the energy market, the MAZ is an extremely important strategic energy axis, attracting global attention. It’s not for nothing that the gas agreement that Israel signed with the European Union Infuriates and frustrates the head of the Kremlin.
Israel is a partner and a regional power in the MENA with a strong economy, a position of military and technological leadership and a system of ties and agreements with the moderate Arab states. However, it maintains cooperation agreements with Greece and Turkey, which are in conflict with Russia regarding economic water and energy sources in the region.
turning point
During the last decade, in parallel with the weakening of the position of the USA and its withdrawal from the affairs of the Middle East, Russia adopted an assertive foreign policy, while adapting to the threats and opportunities that emerged in the region. And so, alongside a gradual rapprochement with Israel, Putin at the same time took care to upgrade relations with most of the key countries in the region – while expanding ties with Egypt, Libya, Jordan, the Gulf countries, primarily Saudi Arabia, as well as with Turkey (despite the conflict with it in Syria, the Caucasus and Libya).
As he works to establish Russia’s position as a strong pillar and as a major player influencing the balance of power in the Middle East, Putin increased its strategic presence in the Mediterranean region (such as the port of Tartus), while restoring the Assad regime and establishing military infrastructure and facilities in Syria, which is seen as a vital Russian interest. In addition , he expanded the economic and security agreements with Iran (a 20-year strategic agreement) and provided it with knowledge, weapons and nuclear technologies. He also established a coalition with Iran, Hezbollah and Shia militias that is currently directed mainly against Israel and the West.
And so, alongside the Moscow-Tehran-Damascus relations and the struggle between them, there are power struggles between Russia and Iran regarding gaining areas of influence in Syria, which directly threaten Israel. All this while Putin is maneuvering between all the fronts on sensitive issues for the Israeli governments, chief among them the Iranian nuclear issue, the threat of radical terrorism and the issue of the conflict with the Palestinians.
Russia-Israel relations are an essential link in Putin’s broad IDF strategy, which takes a realistic and pragmatic approach. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries, extensive bilateral political and economic ties have developed, which have led to a long series of agreements in a variety of military and security fields (such as the purchase of equipment worth 100 million dollars from the aerospace industry in 2010), as well as technological, cultural and scientific.
In addition, collaborations in the fields of medicine, energy, tourism and agriculture led, among other things, to trade agreements signed in 2019 amounting to approximately 5 billion dollars. To this must be added deep historical connections. Israel experienced an immigration wave of approximately 1.5 million Jews from Russia and the former USSR, who created important and lasting cultural ties between the countries. These led, among other things, to their extensive involvement in Israeli politics and the continued immigration of some of the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come from Russia every year.
And so, beyond the cultivation of the Russian-speaking community, which the Kremlin sees as a means of influencing the political establishment, the tightening of ties between Russia and Israel is also linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, the condemnation of Nazism and the fight against terrorism. Since Putin’s first visit to Israel in 2005, senior government representatives and prime ministers including Netanyahu, Lapid and Bennett have been guests in Moscow many times.
There is no doubt that Putin is not interested in a real crisis with Israel – an important regional power that Moscow sees as a means of advancing Russia’s interests in the Middle East. However, this is also the tipping point where he can use Israel, given the qualities and strengths it brings, for the purpose of diverting world attention from the war In Ukraine, this explosive geopolitical zone.
For the head of the Kremlin, who is well aware of his limitations and Israel’s pro-Western stance, the agency crisis is no accident. He arrives after the charged meeting in Tehran and joins the aggressive policy and criticism he has taken towards Israel recently (for example regarding its relations with the Palestinians, regarding the Jewish origin of the President of Ukraine, as well as regarding the attacks in Syria).
Meanwhile, it is important to emphasize the nuances, hidden intentions and various subtleties in Putin’s ambivalent position on this complex issue. On the one hand, the agency crisis is intended to harm Israel and criticize the moves it is taking, but on the other hand this event is intended to signal to Syria and Iran that Russia is doing this out of concern for their interests.
However, and considering the great sensitivity that the Jewish narrative arouses, it is possible that Putin’s decision to initiate a staged crisis was originally intended to signal to Israel – the only one in the West that does not participate in the imposition of sanctions on Russia – that it “needs” it as a mediator vis-a-vis Ukraine and the US, especially in view of the supply of long-range rocket systems The range (HIMARS) making names for the Russian forces in Ukraine.
Against this background and ironically, this situation reemphasizes for Israel the importance of Russia for it. So the crisis of the agency is an opportunity for Israel to strengthen the relationship with it and raise its profile in the eyes of Putin. This, especially in view of the fragile political situation and the transitional government in Israel, despite the war in Europe and the changes in the balance of power in the Middle East and in the international arena.
The author is an expert on geopolitics, global terrorism and international crises