Russia is No Friend of Israel
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s robust support for Hamas after its October massacre of more than 1,400 Israelis has shattered long-standing illusions that Russia is a friend of Israel.
Russia is No Friend of Israel
Soeren Kern | Israel My Glory | January 1, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s robust support for Hamas after its October massacre of more than 1,400 Israelis has shattered long-standing illusions that Russia is a friend of Israel. Previously, relations between Moscow and Jerusalem were mostly cordial. Putin made three official visits to Israel; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who used to call Putin his “dear friend,” visited Russia at least 11 times.
The bilateral relationship was solidified in 2015 when Putin sent troops to Syria to prevent President Bashar al-Assad from being overthrown in Syria’s civil war. During Russia and Israel’s neutrality entente, Netanyahu coordinated with Moscow Israel’s armed interventions against Iranian military encroachment on Syrian territory. The objective was to prevent Israeli forces from accidentally targeting Russian troops while stopping Iranian proxies from establishing military bases in southwest Syria within range of Israeli population centers.
