Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier in the Middle East for Israel, Russian president Vladimir Putin has offered direct military cooperation and assistance to the Palestinian Authority.
With Russian troops already in Syria as well as Russia being in support of Iranian encroachment on Israel’s border, Putin is now applying even more pressure to the Jewish state by offering military assistance to “palestinians” in Judea and Samaria. While there would be no way for Russia to actually deliver this sort of military assistance, the prospects of Russian interference in Judea and Samaria should be frightening to everyone.
This is exactly why the Israeli government has always been insistent that it remains in control of all borders with any future “palestinian” entity. After all, one cannot trust the “palestinians” themselves not to import weapons.
The real question is why is Russia pursuing this path?
Many Middle East experts believe that Putin is punishing Israel for their leaders support for Ukraine. However, this may just be an excuse. For years Putin has been wary that Israel will be able to deliver gas to Europe, allowing them to replace Russian energy with Israeli energy. This would be a nightmare for Putin as it would reduce the leverage he has on Europe.
Putin’s strategy is to pressure Israel to be subservient to his global agenda and he is willing to use the “palestinians” to achieve this.
@Tranzon No way Russia should get title to that church.
@ Sebastien Zorn
I wrote down everything I could on the subject.
@Tranzon Russia is
a) offering military assistance to enemies at war with Israel.
b) interfering in Israel’s internal affairs.
1) Russia is not going to war with Israel. No need to exaggerate.Russia is stuck in Ukraine. Now this is its main problem.
2) Russia is not Israel’s main problem either.Here are the existential problems of Israel : A ) The Arabs of Israel and Autonomy. B) Iran.
3 ) There is an art called diplomacy. And there is such a thing as the responsibility of a statesman. When both are missing (Lapid etc.) , you only have to raise the stakes in the unnecessary game.
@Tranzon That was true in the beginning but it’s too late now. The genie can’t be put back in the bottle. Russia has all but declared war on Israel. No point in trying to prevent what has already happened. Better to call their bluff and raise the ante. Somebody once remarked during the Cold War that the Soviet Union was playing chess while the U.S. was playing poker. Poker won.
My main point is that this is a war alien to the Jews, and it would be best to be neutral.
This is doubly true because both warring nations are historical enemies of the Jews.
@Michael “What’s in it for them unless there’s a good gas deal?” Oh, you know us Jews, we won’t lift a finger even to save our lives unless we see a buck in it. (Sarcasm)
@Tranzon What more could Putin do? He’s allied with Israel’s worst enemies. It’s not in his interest to go up against Israel militarily as it would destabilize Assad’s regime and they would probably lose.
@Tranzon Russia has had to withdraw troops and anti-aircraft weapons from Syria because of this war giving the Israeli Air Force more freedom of action. Jews should get out of those countries while they can. As you said, Putin is neutral, so he will act against our people whenever expedient. As you wrote, Israeli support is negligible but any pretext for hatred against Jews will do. No point in trying to propitiate Putin except in a quid pro who.
1) I am writing this comment in the hope that it will be read by sensible people.
2) Russians and Ukrainians, who historically are the most Judeophobic peoples of Eastern Europe, are fighting each other. Why should Jews care?
There are still many Jews in Ukraine and Russia. And this is the only sane reason to worry.
3 ) About the gas. The amount of gas that Israel can provide is negligible compared to the amount of gas that Russia supplied before recent events.
4) In fact, Israel supplies Ukraine with weapons in various ways. Of course, it has no significant impact on the course of the war, but it is well known in Russia. Lapid and the other members of the gang are hirelings who don’t care about Israel or the Jews.However, I believe that commentators should not behave like the said scum.
5) The level of judophobia in modern Russia is extremely high. But this judophobia is different from what happened in the last years of Stalin’s life. Then it came from above, now it goes from below.
6 ) Putin is a unique leader for Russia in that he is neutral towards Jews.It is thanks to him that the turbulent wave of grassroots judophobia has so far had no political consequences.But everything has its limits. Judophobia, as you know, increases dramatically during wars ; especially if the war goes wrong.
7) If someone tries very hard, someone can achieve that in Russia there will be pogroms and much more. (By the way, Russia can still seriously harm Israel).
8) But is it worth trying when the two most Judeophobic peoples of Eastern Europe are fighting each other ?
Hi, Sebastien. You said,
“Fine, then Israel should make Russia an ultimatum: Withdraw this offer or Israel will send military assistance and advisors to Ukraine.”
That’s an interesting proposition; but at the moment, I don’t see what’s in it for anyone in the Knesset. Couple it with a good gas deal, and you might be talking.
Fine, then Israel should make Russia an ultimatum: Withdraw this offer or Israel will send military assistance and advisors to Ukraine.