2024-08-02 07:06:46
Moscow is a strategic ally of Iran and is already openly hostile to Israel. Meir Litvak, professor of international relations at Tel Aviv University, says this in an interview with Aktuálně.cz in response to the death of Hamas leader Ismáíl Hanija and the events in the Middle East.
Litvak, who also works at the Center for Iranian Studies, claims that Israel’s decision to take a neutral position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “was wrong, immoral and cowardly.” Hanija died on Wednesday night in Tehran after an explosion. The Israeli government has not officially claimed responsibility for the act, Iran promises retaliation. The attack was strongly condemned by Russia and China.
Unlike Western countries, Russia immediately condemned the death of Ismail Haniyeh. Can cooperation between Russia and Iran be described as a strategic alliance?
For the past few months we have seen how their alliance is getting stronger and stronger. Russia is dependent on Iranian drone supplies in its war against Ukraine. This can also be seen in Russia’s policy towards Israel, which is much more hostile than before 2022. Russia stands for the support of Iran and many Arab countries, and thus condemns and criticizes Israel, even if it does not directly participate in any armed actions against Israel.
Does Russia promise significant support against Ukraine from Arab countries as well?
Above all, he is against NATO and the West, which currently corresponds to the fact that he is also against Israel.
You are dealing with Iran. Is it getting any weapons or technology from Russia?
Last year, Moscow and Tehran signed an agreement on the supply of Su-25 fighter jets to Iran, but the Russians have not yet handed them over. It’s the same with air defense system deliveries. The reason for the delay is probably the war in Ukraine.
Is the Israeli government and diplomacy somehow trying to dissuade Russia from an alliance with Iran?
Frankly, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the Israeli government took a cowardly neutral position. She did not want to antagonize Russia and argued that we need to be on good terms with Russia because it has influence in Syria and Iran. But what happened then? Russia has become more and more hostile in its statements towards Israel and is not at all interested in any Israeli explanations and claims. Israelis are already realizing that appeasement with Russia is not working. It was a mistake and an immoral position.
How could Hanija be so careless and stay in Iran without hiding his identity and his journey?
He probably did not believe that Israel would attack him in the middle of Tehran and that he would risk any major Iranian retaliation. Yes, he was apparently pretty sure it couldn’t happen. He slept in the official state hotel for VIP guests and probably did not believe that the Israelis could target him there.
Hanija lived for years in Qatar, which acted as a mediator in negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Will diplomatic channels between Qatar and Israel remain open?
The Qataris are angry, but they will not cut ties with Israel. They base themselves on the fact that they can negotiate on an international level, that they are an important player. Israel could have eliminated Haniya in Qatar a long time ago, but it did not want to do it.