T. Belman. This is an excellent article. I have no quarrel with it. But whatever Russia has done, it doesn’t come close to what the US has done to hurt Israel and continues to do. The US and its lackeys, the UN and the EU, smear Israel daily hoping to create enough public pressure to restrain her. In addition the US puts many obstacles on Israel’s path to victory and threatens to withhold needed munitions. The US and Israel are totally at odds on the day after. In particular, the US wants a Palestinian State and Israel is adamantly against it.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu treads lightly with President Vladimir Putin. Russia is not responding in kind, with public criticism increasing.
Steven Erlanger and March 19/24
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, with President Vladimir V. Putin in Jerusalem in 2020. Mr. Putin has been a vocal critic of Israel over its war in Gaza.Credit…Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images
Israel, though heavily dependent on support from the United States, Germany and other Western nations, has been noticeably out of step with them when it comes to relations with Russia during its war of conquest in Ukraine.
Long before Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, the country refused Ukrainian requests to send arms or to apply widespread sanctions on Russia, including stopping flights to the country. Despite the eagerness of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, himself Jewish, to visit the country and show solidarity after the attack, he has never made the trip.
The reasons reflect Israel’s unique security needs and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s delicate relationship with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, a primary supporter of Israel’s enemies in the region whom Israel cannot afford to offend.
As Israel’s war with Hamas enters its sixth month, Mr. Netanyahu needs Mr. Putin’s good will to help constrain Iran in particular and to continue to strike Iranian targets in Syria while trying to avoid harming the forces Russia maintains there.
So Mr. Netanyahu has consistently given the Russian leader wide latitude, even at the risk of alienating Israel’s main allies in Europe and the United States.
“Israel is playing on a delicate tightrope,” said Emmanuel Navon, the Israel-based executive director of ELNET Israel, a nongovernmental organization that seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties between Israel and Europe.
But even as Israel treads lightly when it comes to Russia, the relationship remains vastly lopsided. Mr. Putin has been a vocal critic of Israel, using condemnation of Israel’s war in Gaza to appeal to the Global South, a term for an informal group of developing and underdeveloped countries, some of whom have been critical of the United States, Europe and the current world order.
After Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, which Israeli authorities say killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, Mr. Putin said nothing for three days. Then, without expressing condolences for Israel or the victims, the Russian leader criticized the United States, calling Oct. 7 “a clear example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East.”
Ever since, Russia has been vocal in condemning Israel’s war against Hamas, which has killed more than 31,000, including combatants, but a majority of the total are women and children, according to Gazan health authorities.
At the United Nations, Russia has questioned Israel’s right to self-defense and repeatedly called for a humanitarian cease-fire to halt Israel’s military campaign. Russia has also amplified pro-Hamas views online.
Russian officials have expressed sympathy or support for South Africa’s charge at the International Court of Justice that Israel is committing genocide, which Israel denies.
At the same time, Russia has also used the war in Gaza to defend its own war in Ukraine. The West, it argues, has been hypocritical to condemn Russia’s attacks on civilians in Ukraine while supporting what it considers to be similar Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza.
In late October, Russia hosted a Hamas delegation in Moscow, which the Israeli foreign ministry called “reprehensible.” In late February, Russia hosted another Hamas delegation for a meeting of Palestinians in Moscow.
After a December call between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Putin, which Mr. Miller of Carnegie said reflected the tension between the two nations, Mr. Netanyahu said he had criticized Russia for supporting Iran, while Mr. Putin said he had criticized Israel for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In the past, Mr. Netanyahu had boasted of his excellent relationship with Mr. Putin and his self-described ability to deal with great powers. Now “that relationship is more of a liability than an advantage,” Mr. Miller said.
Just last Friday, the Russian ambassador to Tel Aviv, Anatoly Viktorov, was called to the Israeli Foreign Office to protest remarks by Russian officials at 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 said distorted Russia’s foreign policy.
The deepening connection between Russia and Iran during the Ukraine war has also raised concerns for Israeli and American officials. Tehran has provided Moscow with drones, missiles and other weaponry.
The relationship between Israel and Russia would only worsen, he said, because “the Russians chose a clearly anti-Israeli side.”
But Israel can hardly afford a break in relations.
A significant number of Israeli citizens emigrated from the former Soviet Union and made their lives in Israel. But Israel still has a stake in looking out for the Jewish population that remains in Russia. In late October, a mob stormed a Russian airport to search for Jews on an incoming flight from Israel.
“We want to maintain the door open,” said Sarah Fainberg, the director of Tel Aviv University’s research program on Russia and China’s role in the Middle East. It was important that the Jewish Agency, a nonprofit that helps Jews immigrate to Israel, remained operational in Russia, she said: “We want to be able to rescue this population in times of emergency.”
While antisemitism isn’t new in Russia, Ms. Fainberg said, Mr. Putin’s new antagonism toward Israel has raised concerns. “Formerly, we thought there was an antisemitic Russia but a pro-Jewish president,” she said. “Now things have changed.”
Steven Erlanger is the chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe and is based in Berlin. He has reported from over 120 countries, including Thailand, France, Israel, Germany and the former Soviet Union. More about Steven Erlanger
@Hund Nein, mein herren. especially now that you’ve spelled my name correctly. All is forgiven.
That quote about “little Sebastien” was meant sarcastically. I hope that you’re not angry with me, Sebastien.
@Hund
If this is your idea of defence, I’d hate to be on the receiving end of one your attacks. 😀
I was talking to Michael and not to you. I defended you, because he attacked you.
Ted I agree this article is important. The issues are important and TWO reporters from critical NYT is a serious question itself.
I have quickly scanned the article itself and not succeeded in understanding it. Some points I could see were critical. But so often disagreed too.
I turned to the already 13 comments.
As a whole they are not dealing with the article as written but with what they want to be written.
The first comment is by Bear Klein and it is a repetition of a position that WAS SETTLED in the very important article by Markovsky
The Michael stuff really awful yet some sentences of clarity where he talks about how fast moving our world is.
I will deal later with Sebastien. He is the chief person who destroys any focus in these threads.
He is focused though on blocking the Marxist view of history and politics FROM THIS SITE. So you see the jokes which is a worn technique.
Yet he has written something here that has validity
Writing this has tired me..
But this is useful
I could see how this is useful. I agree with Dreuveni.
It is very useful. But surely he knows he distorts as well
Sebastian, you misunderstood me. I was actually defending you. Please read again
@Michael Hermeneutical exegesis has been variously defined as speculating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Should I call you Herman or Jesus?
@Hund
I know, I know, you just read it for the pictures.
@Hund So, according to you, I deserve to be put in my place by someone you consider a top Nazi? Should I be flattered or mortified? It’s truly a conundrum. I’m reminded of the old joke that goes:
When Jews were forced to get last names in the Austrian Empire, one guy asked his friend:
“So, what name did you get?”
“Schweisshund.”
“Schweisshund? What kind of a horrible name is that?”
“You kidding me? Do you know how much I had to pay for the W?”
Herr Michael S.,
I read Israpundit for two reasons. Firstly because of the articles, but above all because of your clever and wise insights.
“you assume others don’t take you seriously”. You speak from your own experience, don’t you?
Your way of arguing and especially your way of talking about G’d is strikingly similar to that of Herr Generalgouverneur Hans Frank, the butcher of Krakow, about whom my mother once wrote her doctoral thesis.
Your thought processes, your brilliance, are amazingly similar, Herr Michael. As if he had been your father. So it must be in the blood. Volksblut.
And “little Sebastien”, whom you put in his deserved place, must shudder at your German Nietzschean Übermensch omnipotence.
I assume you also come from southern Germany like der Führer’s fellows? Perhaps from Munich, “Die Stadt der Bewegung”?
Heil, Herr Michael! I look forward to your next important insights. Please don’t stop commenting. There’s hardly anything else to laugh about in these sad days.
@Bear.
What Putin does with Russia is not my concern. I am focused on what Biden is doing to Israel.
@Ted you claimed the following:
First never said that. Being betrayed by Israel’s only ally the USA because of Biden’s policies is extremely damaging and dangerous, is no slight matter.
I also recognize that Putin is a monster to Russians plus Ukrainians and in league with Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and all the other terrorist groups that are actively at war with Israel. You think by focusing on Biden and company you make go away the unseemly crimes of Putin and Russia . You can NOT! You covering for them makes you morally bankrupt!
Sebasten,
As usual, you package what you say, in an attempt at a joke. I think that perhaps you don’t take God seriously, you assume others don’t take you seriously. I take both of you seriously, though I must say that God is far more honest and straitforward than you, in getting across his point.
{Sebastien imagines a god who doesn’t exist, walking past the point of a pin — perhaps contemplating it for a moment as he goes… “He” [Is “he” Sebastien? or is he God? It’s hard to say…] ponders for a moment, thinking,
“How can I turn this into something Edgar will laugh at? Nah, forget that…
“How can I turn this into something Michael will laugh at? (more hopeful, that)”
Then God considers the whole universe He has (“hasn’t?” must remain agnostic) made, which fits on the tip of the pin, with room to spare, and cracks up laughing at the hilarity of Pinpoint Man, and the great, swelling things he says about the nature of Himself, whom Pinpoint has trouble seeing the reality of.
Then God scratches his head, and gets across his point. Sebastien, meanwhile, has not gotten across his own point, because he’s forgotten what it was, while composing his joke.}
Two points:
1. First of all, it’s a moot question, whether I am an “Evangelical Christian”, other than in some peoples’ minds. I suppose you meant it as some sort of flattery; but
2. I wonder what you meant by, “optimism”.
Let me just say, “No” to both assumptions. When I said WWIII is unfolding this year, I implied that it has already started. How far into WWIII do you want to go, before discovering that it’s here? February, 2022 marked the first major war between superpowers in Europe since WWII; and the massacre in Israel in October, 2033 began an ongoing war that is the longest and most intense since the War of Independence. The use of nuclear weapons is threatened repeatedly, by people with somewhat of a reputation for following through with their threats; and nuclear and military “accidents” happen often.
Is that “optimism”? “pessimism?” Call it what you will. I just call it, “Name that crisis”. You needn’t bring the Evangelicals into this.
@Michael
For an evangelical Christian that’s what passes for optimism, right? 😀
@dreuveni By my definition? What does that mean?
Naturally Iran’s nuke threat is dismissed by Putin Lovers and the weapons they sell to each other in the Axis of terrorists and Russian Terrorist Putin.
Everyone is entitled to their own views and endless arguing with Putin apologists or lovers in some cases is senseless!!
@Ted: I just reread your introduction. While it us true that the US is causing more pain, it is because of the betrayal. Russia is behaving as always. They don’t care about Israel and say so. The US’ behavior is the opposite of the love they claim to shower us with.
@Sebastian: the goal in chess is to defeat the king. In this game, we need to make the moves to defeat Iran (by your definition).
Hi, Ted.
I expect WWIII to unfold this year, ultimately involving exchange of nuclear weapons. What was really telling in the video, was the hypotheticle scenarios for NATO — which are mirrored in the Pacific. Everyone involved: in the strategy rooms, not the public marketplace, has this conflict keenly on their minds. Ukraine and Israel are just touchstones.
Do you remember how things were at the beginning of 2020, and even more intensely in January, 2021? I don’t think anyone thought the US cities and border would begin to collapse so quickly, nor how pervasive and deadly corruption has turned out to be in the medical world, or how viciously anti-Israel American Jews like Schumer would turn out to be. Before everyone here starts spewing out word salads, I wish at least some of you would consider how fast this has all happened. Edgar can kvetch all he wants, Sebastien can joke, Felix can Trotz, Peloni can apologize for certain leaders; everyone’s been enjoying the party…
but meanwhile, Russians and Frenchmen and Chinese and Americans — yes, and Israelis — have been studying war in earnest; and the graduation ceremony is fast approaching.
Meanwhile, you and I are old men. However things turn out, we don’t have long on this planet.
Shalom shalom. 🙂
@Bear Here’s the thing. Russia isn’t in a position to hurt Israel but the U.S. under O’Biden and the globalist deep state has Israel by the proverbial short hairs. And the longer the war between Ukraine and Russia goes on, the greater the likelihood that Russia will facilitate Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. We need a resolution that will take Russia off the chess board as much as possible as Iran is the main enemy of Israel, of the U.S., and of the entire Western World; in chess terms, Iran is the King and the goal should be to isolate and checkmate Iran. Containment, Rollback, Regime Change. Now, that would be a worthy goal for a NATO that was truly the successor of the former opposite number to the former Warsaw Pact, not this monster that goes by that name.
I dislike documentaries. I can read faster than that and I like footnotes, citations and sources that can be verified or not as the case may be. Too many anonymous sources or none at all are the worst. Things can make sense but not be true, on the one hand, or they can be true but not make sense, on the other, in real life, as we have seen and are seeing in real time, as we speak.
“In God we Trust, all others pay cash.”
@bEAR
So you think that Russia is hurting us more than the US is. I don’t think so.
Hi, Bear. I;m about half-way through a documentary about NATO and related matters, presented by Deutsche Welle. It touches every base, but it is long: about 90 minutes.
It debunks Putin’s assertions concerning NATO, going all the way back to its foundation.
https://youtu.be/1cTFk6MNUHQ
Ted, Biden is awful to be understated.
Putin is an active ally of the terrorists fighting Israel. He provides weapons, advice and nuclear technology to Iran.
Your apologizing for Putin is a truly sad state of affairs. I am most disappointed in your backing of Putin.