Israel’s best efforts to remain on friendly terms with Russia notwithstanding, the two nations now appear to be on a collision course that could have far-reaching consequences.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated in a weekend interview that his country’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine was justified by the “Nazi forces” operating there.
His interviewer reminded Lavrov that Ukraine’s elected and popular president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is Jewish, thus making it unlikely his country has a strong Nazi element. But the Russian was unimpressed.
“Even Hitler had Jewish blood,” charged Lavrov, adding that “some of the worst antisemites are Jews.”
“This is an unforgivable and scandalous comment, a terrible historical error and we expect an apology,” said Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said. “Hitler was not of Jewish origin and the Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust. The lowest form of racism against Jews is blaming the Jews themselves for antisemitism.”
Lapid added that Jerusalem is “making every effort to maintain good relations with Russia, but there is a line, and this time the line has been crossed. The Russian government must apologize to us and to the Jewish people.”
But rather than apologize, the Kremlin doubled down on Lavrov’s slander.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “anti-historical statements” that “explain why the current Israeli government supports the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv.”
The statement noted that some Jews collaborated with the Nazis during the Holocaust, and suggested that Zelensky now does the same.
Clearly an apology is not forthcoming. And talk in Jerusalem now suggests the Jewish state will take a more overt stance in support of Ukraine.
But there were two other important reasons for its semi-neutrality:
- Israel needs Russia’s tacit approval to continue operating against Iranian forces in neighboring Syria. Russian forces control the skies in the war-torn country. However, given Russia’s poor military performance in Ukraine, some have suggested Israel might not have much to worry about even if Russian forces in Syria turn hostile.
- Both Russia and Ukraine still have large Jewish populations, and Jerusalem feared that taking too strong a stance in favor of either side could put one or both of those Jewish communities in danger.
Regarding that second point, Moscow is now effectively using the threat of antisemitism as leverage against Israel. By suggesting that Jews are the worst antisemites, and charging the Jewish state with supporting alleged Nazis, the Kremlin could quickly open the flood gates to a new wave of antisemitic violence in Russia.
On its own, Israel would still have maintained a measured approach. But with its powerful Western allies already locking horns with Putin’s Russia, the Jewish state could make a more emboldened response.
Russia has long been seen by modern Bible-believers as the apocalyptic force known as “Gog” that will one day come against the Land of Israel.
This interpretation was bolstered earlier this year when Russia invaded Ukraine, brought Europe to the brink of World War III, and made unusual overtures in seeking an alliance with China.
Even so, up until a few days ago it was difficult to see Russia actually invading Israel considering the generally pragmatic, if not warm relations between the two. But after this week’s escalation in rhetoric, anything seems possible.
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