Israelis have been captive to illusion that Russia is an ally: Jpost
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The Jerusalem Post noted Russia's deepening ties with Iran, including joint satellite launches capable of real-time Earth imaging, though Russia denies espionage activities against "Israel".
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Russian Air Force Su-25 jets fly over Red Square leaving trails of smoke in the colors of the Russian national flag during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2024. (AP)
An op-ed published on The Jerusalem Post Saturday raised growing concerns over what it terms as Russian hybrid aggression against "Israel".
The newspaper pointed out that the Kremlin's relations with Resistance groups, which it described as "terror groups", are impacting "Israel's" conventional neutral stance.
The article recalled a statement by Russian diplomat Alexander Rudakov, who was cited by the paper as saying "Moscow will support Hezbollah in the event of a war in Lebanon."
"We have for too long been captive to the illusion that Russia and Putin are our friends," the report says.
Read more: Ambassador: Palestinian factions open to potential Moscow talks
The Jerusalem Post also noted Russia's deepening ties with Iran, including joint satellite launches capable of real-time Earth imaging, though Russia denies espionage activities against "Israel".
Adding to Israeli anxieties are reports of new Russian military installations in Syria near the Syrian-Palestinian border.
Recently, Russia announced joint military exercises with the Syrian army aimed at safeguarding Syrian territories across air, land, and the Mediterranean Sea.
The newspaper further expressed concerns about Russia's potential establishment of a military port in Port Sudan on the Red Sea, seen as part of its broader regional strategy.
The Jerusalem Post stressed that "Russian hybrid aggression against Israel" is a real and pressing issue.
Days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Israeli actions in response to the Palestinian Resistance operations as akin to genocide against Gaza's people, affirming that "Russia's position on Palestine is consistent and unchangeable, and it is necessary to resolve the issue."
Read more: 'Israel' seeks ethnic cleansing under US cover, Russia says
Souring relations
In recent years, Moscow has striven to maintain positive relations with Israeli and Palestinian actors alike, but relations with "Israel" have deteriorated because of its genocide in Gaza and its rejection of the formation of a Palestinian state.
In February, Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned Israeli ambassador Simona Halperin for "unacceptable comments" made in an interview for the local Kommersant daily.
The Ministry said the Israeli envoy misrepresented the country's foreign policy, calling her comments "an extremely unsuccessful start" to her diplomatic position, given that she only began her post last December.
During the interview, Halperin criticized Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for allegedly undermining the Holocaust and said Russia was being too nice to the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas.
According to Haaretz, Halperin said, during the interview, that Russia was losing credibility in "Israel", saying "Russia's position worries and depresses me. Because of it, your country is losing the sympathy of Israelis, including Russian speakers."
