Something to keep an eye on: tensions have started to rise between Russia and Israel. Israel is expanding its aid to Ukraine, “including military assistance,” but “not offensive weapons.” In recent weeks, Zelensky has also turned to Israel’s “strategic advisors close to former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Leaders in Jerusalem have also “lambasted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for claiming Hitler had Jewish origins.”
A main concern that drove Israel’s caution at the outset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the first place was the Russian-controlled airspace over Syria. Israel and Russia have been cooperating to control Iran’s presence there. Netanyahu advised the Israeli government in February to be quiet about Russia and focus on Iran.
“Israel to increase military, civilian aid to Ukraine – report,” by Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, May 3, 2022:
Israel is leaning toward expanding its aid to Ukraine, including sending military assistance to the embattled country.
Israeli officials have said Jerusalem can send “plenty of items” to Kyiv that are more defensive, but air-defense systems, advanced weaponry and attack systems would not be sent, Haaretz reported.
The increase in aid would be a “substantial step” compared with what Israel has already provided, the report said, adding that it would be more symbolic and “not include substantial quantities of supplies” because of the aid already provided by the US and European countries.
Jerusalem has been trying to strike a balance between Russia and Ukraine, but Haaretz quoted a source as saying the US and some European countries expect Israel to take a clearer stance regarding which side it is on “and to back its decision with deeds and not just statements.”
A meeting by defense officials is planned for the coming days to discuss what platforms or supplies can be provided to Ukraine.
The Defense Ministry did not comment on the report.
Last week, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Dror Shalom, head of the Defense Ministry’s Political Security Division, took part in a US-led summit that discussed international defense aid to Ukraine.
Israel was among 43 countries – 29 NATO members and 14 non-NATO members – that attended the summit in Germany. Shalom’s participation could be viewed as a possible shift in stance by Israel, which has been attempting to preserve its close ties with Moscow….
PMK says
Tensions with Russia rise? When have tensions between Israel and Russia cooled?
gravenimage says
Good question, PMK.
Russian propaganda is now smearing Jews as “Fascist”, and also claiming Hitler was Jewish.
Infidel says
Actually, Israel deliberately avoided tensions w/ Russia especially in light of Russian troops in Syria. Although now, w/ reports that Russia would want Syrian troops backing it in Ukraine, one would guess that there are no Russian troops left in Syria
I wonder if the Syrian regime was threatened w/ collapse, whether Russia could spare its troops even while they’re busy in Ukraine. Would they give up the Mariupol land bridge to the Crimea just so that they could keep Ladakiya?
gravenimage says
Infidel, I could not find accounts of Russian actions in Syria much beyond mid-2021. If they still have a presence there, it seems pretty minimal.
Westman says
Not a good idea. Israel should stay as far as possible from the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Israel is not in NATO. The EU, US leftists, and the OIC, all take the side of the Palestinians.
If Russia responds outside of Ukraine to Western interference, Israel is the least costly target it can justify.
gravenimage says
I don’t think that bowing to unprovoked aggression is generally a good policy. That you are saying that Russia is likely to target Israel not for any sort of ethical reasons but just because they may deem them easy pickings is itself disturbing.