Since its foundation, the Jewish state of Israel has had a “special” relationship with Moscow. On June 10, 1967, the Soviet Union and Israel once again broke off official diplomatic contacts due to the war with the Arabs and at this moment in time, could we see a repeat of these events? Let’s take a look at the history of Russo-Israeli relations to find out.

Geopolitics

The Kremlin during Stalin’s time actively helped the Jews gain their independent new homeland. In the Soviet Union, it was hoped that in a very important region, in contrast to the West, a state would appear that was far from alien to socialist ideas.

The USSR was the first to recognize the independent State of Israel in 1948. The USA became the second. However, the situation in the Middle East sharply worsened. The Arabs were extremely unhappy with what had happened. The Arab League countries quickly declared war on Israel. A long-term armed conflict began. Help for the new state immediately came, but from the Soviet Union. On the other side of the confrontation was Great Britain, which harbored a grudge due to the loss of traditional influence in the region.

From the very beginning, Stalin assumed that he would be able to make Israel a satellite of the USSR. But this did not happen. The Jewish state was not going to “bend over” to anyone, but followed its own interests exclusively. And, it collaborated with the West just as much as with the Soviets. Thus, the Socialist Paradise failed to strengthen its strategic interests in the Middle East through Israel as planned.

Image above: Communist pro-Israel propaganda portraying the USA and UK as a bad influence.

Why did Stalin do this?

There is great speculation as to why Stalin felt the need to support the establishment of Israel, one theory is that it provided an off ramp of sorts to relieve discontent among Jewish citizens of the USSR. Later after Stalin’s death “exit visas” necessary to leave the Soviet Union were often granted to those who wanted to go to Israel. Those who wanted to visit say America were unlikely to get theirs approved. After the fall of Communism many Russian-speaking Jews went to Israel leading to around one-fourth the Jewish population of that country being Russian-speaking.

It is also believed that Stalin expected eternal gratitude from the Israelis for allowing their country to exist. No grandiose displays of gratitude have been expressed at any point since the inception of Israel.

Image above: the Soviet mission building in Israel after the bombing

Plans changed

After it became clear that Israel would not become part of the Socialist World, Moscow began to support the Arabs. They were essentially the opposite side of the Middle-East. This allowed Moscow to maintain a balance of power in the region. But, at the same time, no one in the Kremlin was going to abandon official relations with Israel. That was until 1953, when a bomb exploded on the territory of the Soviet diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv. Then the countries severed diplomatic relations.

But quickly, literally six months later, they reconciled. On June 10, 1967, this all happened for the second time. The Kremlin then declared that the Jewish state had launched an aggressive war against neighboring Arab countries. This event is known today as the Six-Day War, in which the Arabs, especially Egypt, lost. This time the situation looked much more serious. An editorial in the newspaper Pravda said that the Arabs were fighting for their interests and independence, and the Soviet people strongly condemned Israel’s aggressive actions.

The Cold War Ground to a Finale

The two countries managed to restore diplomatic relations only in 1991. However, there are also politics and diplomacy hidden from prying eyes. Informal contacts did not stop with Israeli representatives for a single day despite the big shift in economic systems. The countries did not shy away from trade either, but not particularly advertising the fact out loud. Business is business as they say. Israeli fruits and vegetables, grown literally on rocks and sand with the help of advanced technology, were always popular with Soviet citizens. For those who had the opportunity and sometimes connections necessary to try them.

As former party functionaries and Soviet intelligence officials later wrote, Moscow’s logic was simple: if Israel ceased to exist, the Arabs would instantly forget about the USSR. They needed this help against a powerful enemy. Therefore, Moscow promoted and worked with the Arabs, but did not forget about the Jews. A curious detail: in 1973, Syria, Egypt and Jordan suddenly attacked Israel. This conflict was later called the “Yom Kippur War.” The Kremlin at the time even considered the prospects of a joint Soviet-American landing force to help Israel. This did not happen, but the plan itself demonstrated that Moscow was not 100% biased towards either side. In this way the Soviets were very strict in their anti-war posturing siding with the non-aggressor of the moment.

And then came Putin

Over the past decade, Russo-Israeli relations have been characterized by a complex mix of cooperation and tension. Russia’s increased military involvement in Syria since 2015, in support of the Assad regime, brought it into closer contact, and occasional friction, with Israel, which has conducted airstrikes against Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria. “Greater Israel’s” ambitions were deeply at odds with the Russian establishment on this issue.

Despite this, Moscow and Jerusalem were able to stay on superficially friendly terms. Russia at the time has been maintaining ties with Israeli adversaries like Iran and Hamas, yet it has avoided outright hostility toward Israel, recognizing its regional influence and the large Russian-speaking Jewish community with ties to both countries. Economic and cultural exchanges have continued, though geopolitical alignments have sometimes strained the relationship during the Putin era.

Image above: A hybrid Israeli and Ukrainian Nationalist flag next to a mercenary during the SMO

In recent years, Russia’s Special Military Operation launched in 2022 further complicated relations, as Israel initially hesitated to openly condemn Moscow in traditional Western fashion. It was balancing its Western alliances with its reliance on Russia for security coordination in Syria.

However, Israel’s gradual shift toward providing humanitarian aid and support to Ukraine drew Russian criticism. It has been proven that Israeli mercenaries, and Mossad itself, have been working against Russia across Ukraine. This is a wound in relations that will not easily heal.

Meanwhile, Russia’s deepening ties with Iran raised concerns in Israel about regional security. Russo-Iranian cooperation agreements have certainly caused alarm in Tel-Aviv.

Image above: An AI image of celebrity foreign agents that fled to Israel from Russia.

It must also be noted that Israel has been the home to many foreign agents and dissidents who voluntarily fled Moscow after the start of the SMO and the first big rounds of sanctions. Housing dissidents is often a sign of an adversarial posture.

Despite these challenges, high-level diplomatic dialogue has persisted, with both sides seeking to manage differences. Overall, the relationship remains strategically cautious, shaped by shifting geopolitical dynamics and mutual, albeit limited, interests.

Ultimately a Net Gain of Zero

Russo-Israeli relations should have very deep roots due to Stalin allowing the state to exist and that so many Russians-speakers are still in Israel. But, Tel-Aviv has actively worked against Russia during the SMO, and has always been more of Washington’s unsinkable aircraft carrier than Stalin’s personal kibbutz of Socialism. We don’t hear rhetoric from the Israelis in the clownish style of the Baltic nations, but actions speak louder than words and the work of Mossad, supporting ironically Neo-Fascists against the Kremlin, will not be forgotten.