Russia-Israel: foundations for a long-term relationship

Israel strengthening its ties with countries that have influence in the global arena is always considered a diplomatic coup. At a time when Israel is forced to set up a special ministry tasked with fighting global attempts to boycott it (under the successful leadership of Minister Gilad Erdan), opening any avenue that both makes Israel's stance clear and gives it some influence over the processes taking place around it helps bolster the country's security. Military coordination between the Russian army and the Israel Defense Forces in Syria -- after a history of clashes there just a few decades ago -- will affect the alliances of power currently being woven in the Middle East for years to come.

Aside from the immediate security and defense issues, Israel investing in its ties with Russia demonstrates an understanding of the opportunities created by the biggest nation in the world coming back to the Middle East as an active player. Today, Russia and Israel are looking for, and finding, many common interests in areas such as industry and trade, research, agriculture, tourism, and culture. These fields are an excellent base for them to get to know each other better, especially at a time when each side still clings to prejudices and stigmas about the other, which must disappear.

Israel cannot miss the enormous interest Russian media outlets have in what goes on in our state, along with many circles in Russian government and society. Israel, for the most part, enjoys a positive image in the main Russian media, sometimes from reasons unrelated to Israel itself. We are considered outstanding in the fields of security and defense, advanced technology, and economics. With a certain effort, and if we take advantage of the opportunities that are opening before us, we can improve our relations with Russia and bring them to a level that can only be compared to our relations with the U.S. It's important to do that now, before the U.S. presidential election becomes too sensitive and loaded, as it will be a few months from now.

The Russian Jewish community has an important role to play in the relations between the two countries. Community institutions have done a great deal, and are now putting even more effort into facilitating the positive process of Russia and Israel drawing closer. Russian-born Israelis also have a lot to contribute to that process, given their ties to family and friends back in Russia.

If Israel takes proper advantage of all these opportunities, it can improve its position within Russia's sphere of influence significantly. Closer ties will help both nations meet their expectations from one another and lay the foundations for a long-term relationship.

Michael Lobovikov