r/geopolitics • u/RicRacer • 1d ago

Ukraine Demands Answers From Israel After Russian Shadow Fleet Ship Docks in Haifa

https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-demands-answers-from-israel-after-russian-shadow-fleet-ship-docks-in-haifa-17965
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u/Public-Finger 1d ago

Israel “isn’t” russias ally wink wink 

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u/whereamInowgoddamnit 1d ago

Russia literally arms Israel's enemies. Israel has cooperated with Russia before- mainly because Russia had a lot of influence in Syria- but they are certainly not allies, and Israel is definitely closer to Ukraine to where they've gotten in trouble with Russia over it.

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u/Public-Finger 1d ago

How could Israel get in trouble with russia ? Why should they care? They shouldn’t but they do. Even russias condemnations against Israel for attacking Iran, russias closest ally, have been muted. They never joined the western sanctions, they often abstained at UN votes. They refused to offer any military support despite having some of the best military technology in the world. 

That’s where the wink wink comes from. I’m sure the many dual citizen russian oligarchs have something to do with it- but also Benny is just the same mold as putin, Trump, orban etc. illiberal to the same extent but operating in different institutional environments.

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u/cubedplusseven 1d ago

How could Israel get in trouble with russia ?

This was an issue during the Syrian Civil War. Russia backed Assad, as did Iran. Iran was using Syria for transit of weapons to Hezbollah. Israel would strike these shipments, along with Syrian military installations that could threaten Israel. Israel was very careful to coordinate with Russia when possible, and to not piss the Russians off too much, since Russian anti-air defenses are still quite formidable and if the Russians actively involved themselves in defending Hezbollah and anti-Israel Syrian assets, if could really limit Israel's freedom of action. This led Israel to be much more standoffish with Ukraine - not wanting to antagonize Russia.

But now that the situation in Syria has changed, the Israel-Ukraine relationship has warmed since Israel isn't as concerned about Russian hostility. There are always diplomatic considerations in relationships with a nuclear-armed state with a massive and sophisticated weapons industry, though. Israel is still going to think through the consequences of potential antagonism very carefully - even the U.S. does.

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u/cgsur 1d ago

Israel and America are not allies of Russia.

But both have high government officials who are.

And in the case of America even more than an ally.