The relationship between Russia and Israel is a complex tapestry woven from decades of geopolitical strategy, historical circumstance, and pragmatic diplomacy. Far from being a simple alliance or rivalry, it is a dynamic partnership characterized by significant collaboration alongside deep-seated strategic divergence. Understanding whether Russia "likes" Israel is less about emotional affinity and more about analyzing a sophisticated geopolitical calculation where mutual interests often dictate cooperation, even when fundamental values differ.
Historical Context: From Antagonism to Pragmatism
The Soviet Union historically supported the Arab states in their conflicts with Israel, providing military aid and political backing at the United Nations. This antagonistic posture defined the relationship for much of the 20th century. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 created a power vacuum and forced a complete recalibration of Russian foreign policy. The new Russian Federation, under Boris Yeltsin, sought to establish itself on the world stage and found a pragmatic partner in Israel, which was eager to formalize relations with the former superpower. This shift marked the beginning of a new era, moving from ideological confrontation to a relationship based on national interest and strategic opportunity.
Shared Interests: The Bedrock of Modern Relations
Today, the cornerstone of the Russia-Israel relationship is the identification of overlapping strategic interests, particularly concerning regional stability and counter-terrorism. Both nations view the proliferation of radical Islamic extremism, especially from groups like ISIS and Hamas, as a significant threat. This shared concern has fostered intelligence sharing and discreet security cooperation. Furthermore, Russia's significant Jewish population creates a unique cultural and demographic link, making the protection of Jewish communities and the facilitation of their emigration a point of diplomatic consideration for Moscow that is largely absent in its dealings with other nations.
Economic and Diplomatic Engagement
Economic ties, while not as vast as with other partners, are steadily growing. Russia sees Israel as a gateway to advanced technology in sectors like cybersecurity, agriculture, and energy. Israeli companies, in turn, view Russia as a vast market and a partner for large-scale infrastructure projects. This economic interdependence creates a buffer against pure political hostility. Diplomatically, Israel often serves as a valuable intermediary for Russia, leveraging its strong connections in Washington and European capitals to facilitate communication channels that might otherwise remain closed, particularly during periods of high tension.
The Syrian Factor: Cooperation and Friction
The outbreak of the Syrian Civil War has introduced the most significant and visible element of friction into the relationship. Russia's full-scale military intervention in support of Bashar al-Assad has placed Russian forces in direct proximity to Israeli military operations in the Golan Heights. Israel has made it clear that it will not tolerate Iran establishing a permanent military presence in Syria or using Syrian territory to threaten its security. While this has led to tense encounters and direct communication between Russian and Israeli military deconfliction channels, both sides have thus far managed to avoid a major escalation. Russia tolerates Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets as a painful but manageable cost of maintaining its broader strategic partnership with Tehran's adversaries.
Public Perception and Political Nuance
It is a misconception to view Russia as a monolithic entity with a single opinion on Israel. Russian society is diverse, and media portrayal is heavily filtered through state-controlled outlets, which often amplify anti-Western narratives that can include criticism of Israeli government policies. However, there is also a segment of the Russian population, particularly among the older generation, with historical sympathies for the Jewish experience. The official Kremlin narrative tends to frame its relationship with Israel in terms of pragmatism and respect for sovereignty, avoiding overt hostility while supporting positions that align with its allies. The relationship is thus managed at the highest political levels, insulated from the vagaries of public opinion.
