Israel Signals That it Will Be Less Critical of Russia Under Netanyahu

Eli Cohen, Israel’s new foreign minister, raised eyebrows with his comments about Russia on Monday.

Eli Cohen, Israel’s new foreign minister, indicated in an interview that Benjamin Netanyahu’s newly formed government will be less critical of Russia during its war with Ukraine, drawing swift criticism from chickenhawks like Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Cohen gave his first speech on Monday and said he will work to “speak less” about Russia in public, while maintaining Israel’s humanitarian support for Ukrainians.

“On the issue of Russia and Ukraine,” he said. “There is one thing that we will certainly be doing, and that is less talking about it in public.”

Netanyahu has not released how his administration will approach the Ukraine War.

The Trends Journal has been reporting on the tight rope that Israel has been trying to walk when it comes to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Tel Aviv normally maintains a good relationship with Moscow, but it finds itself in a tough spot since its main ally is the U.S., which has been trying to isolate Russia from the world.

Earlier in the conflict, Israel called the invasion a “serious violation of international order” but has generally been reluctant to say more. (See “ISRAEL AIRSTRIKES KILL 3 SOLDIERS IN SYRIA.”)

Israel wants to be able to carry out airstrikes in Syria, but Russia’s support of Bashar al-Assad could be problematic. Israel was critical of Russia’s alleged role in Bucha, but later signaled to reporters that things were smoothed over with the Kremlin and it will resume military action in Syria.

“We’re telegraphing ‘business as usual’ to the Russians,” a defense official told Israel’s Army Radio last year. “It’s important not to broadcast a misleading message.”

Barak Ravid, the diplomatic correspondent at Walla News, tweeted that Cohen said he will draft a “responsible” new policy on the war in Ukraine.

Unlike his predecessor, Cohen agreed to meet with Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov, which was another sign of a possible thaw.

One Twitter user expressed dismay that Israel appeared to side with Russia, and posted, “Israel sides with Russia, not USA, on Ukraine. Remind me hoe much $ we send them. Saudis, same. Side with Russia.”

Graham, the U.S. senator who has called several times for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assassination, took to Twitter to raise concerns about Cohen’s statements.

“I hope Mr. Cohen understands that when he speaks to Russia’s Lavrov, he’s speaking to a representative of a war criminal regime that commits war crimes on an industrial scale every day,” Graham said.

Graham said “the idea that Israel should speak less about Russia’s criminal invasion of Ukraine is a bit unnerving.”

Putin, in the meantime, seemed to approve of Netanyahu’s election win.

He said in a statement to his Israeli counterpart: “I hope that the new government under your leadership will continue the line of strengthening Russian-Israeli cooperation in all areas for the benefit of our peoples, in the interest of ensuring peace and security in the Middle East.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Netanyahu he wished him “success on the way to the welfare & security of Israel.”

TREND FORECAST: While the United States and NATO condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine and its occupying a foreign nation, there is no U.S. NATO condemnation of Israel’s ongoing occupation and stealing of Palestine land which is in violation of international law and its occupation of the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967’s Six-Day War.

And while the mainstream media has attacked Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Israel is not, and will not be criticized by the establishment political parties and the mainstream media. Indeed, anyone that does so is chastised as an “anti-Semite.”