Putin’s pivot toward Iran leaves Israel stunned
The once-friendly ties between Russia and Israel have crumbled amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
What was once considered a strategic alliance between the two nations has now given way to a new partnership between Russia and Israel’s longstanding foe, Iran.
Just two years ago, Israel refrained from joining Western sanctions against Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, showcasing a strategic understanding between the two nations. However, with President Vladimir Putin now among Israel’s vocal critics, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically.
Putin’s refusal to condemn Hamas’s attack on October 7 and his accusation of Israel contemplating tactics akin to Nazi Germany’s actions during World War II have left Israel in shock and anger.
Russia’s official backing for a ceasefire in Gaza, coupled with hosting envoys from Hamas and Iran, has further strained relations.
The unexpected alliance between Russia and Iran, marked by high-level visits and joint demands at the UN Security Council, has raised concerns in Israel.
President Ebrahim Raisi’s recent visit to Moscow and the joint stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza have left Israel denouncing its former partner.
The history of Soviet-Israeli relations, once frosty during the Cold War, saw a thaw after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. Closer ties flourished, especially under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The collaboration extended to Israel working closely with Russia in the Syrian civil war.
As Putin’s war in Ukraine continues and his isolation deepens, he has turned away from Israel, forming a new alliance with Iran. The repercussions are felt in Israel, where dissatisfaction with Russia’s stance at the United Nations is expressed, and concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions loom large.
Experts suggest that Russia’s reaction to the Israel-Hamas conflict reveals the illusion of the so-called rapprochement since the Soviet Union’s fall. Anti-Semitic incidents in Russia and geopolitical realignments have left Israel denouncing its once-warm partner.
As Moscow prioritizes anti-Western rhetoric, Israel finds itself facing an alliance against the West, with implications for the geopolitical balance in the Middle East.
The abrupt shift in alliances highlights the fluid nature of Middle East geopolitics, leaving Israel grappling with the consequences of a betrayed friendship and an uncertain future in the region.
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