A Strategic Alliance: An Exploration of Israeli-Russian Relations
This paper offers an exploration of various facets of the Israeli-Russian political relationship. The positive relationship between the two states seems unlikely considering each state’s history and strategic alliances, though Israel and Russia have endeavored towards a strong working relationship since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. This paper first explores the history of the relationship between the former Soviet Union/Russia and Israel from the formation of Israel in 1948 to the present day. The historical arc is used in an attempt to explain the development of the current relationship. Next, this paper explains the current status of the relationship, particularly through Vladimir Putin’s leadership of Russia and his diplomatic relationship with Israeli leaders Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu. I then turn to the multiple facets of the strategic alliance, including military, economic, technological, and cultural partnerships. Lastly, this paper summarizes the implications of the Israeli-Russian alliance on Middle Eastern and international geopolitics.
Russian Jewish Immigration and its Effect on the State of Israel
Since the nineteenth century, the State of Israel has sought to gather together people of Jewish ancestry.1 Israel's immigration policy is contained in its Declaration of Independence, passed on May 14,1948, and reads, "[t]he State of Israel is open to Jewish immigration and the Ingathering of Exiles."2 The Law of Return, enacted July 5, 1950 following the establishment of statehood, gives every Jew in the world the right to immigrate to Israel.3 As recently as 1996, the Israeli government voiced its continuing commitment to increase immigration and to strengthen the bond of Jewish heritage and Zionism.4 A recent immigration wave from Russia, however, has forced Israelis and the Israeli government to question the strength of this commitment. As Russian Jews have immigrated to Israel in the hundreds of thousands, Israel has experienced significant social, cultural, and political changes. The changes caused by this immigration have in turn raised issues with legal implications; specifically the question of "who is a Jew?" This paper examines the changes to Israeli society resulting from the recent wave of Russian immigration and the potential legal questions that have surfaced as a result of these changes. First, this paper briefly outlines the relevance of Jewish Law to Israeli Law, thus explaining the significance of religious status within the legal regime. Second, it discusses the major social, cultural, and political changes in Israeli society resulting from the recent wave of Russian immigration. Finally, this paper examines the effect that these changes have had on Israeli society and posits that these changes have forced
Nations Abroad: Diaspora Politics And International Relations In The Former Soviet Union
Introduction: Nationalism, Transnationalism, and Postcommunism (Charles King.) The Russians: Diaspora and the End of Empire (Neil J. Melvin. ) The Jews: A Diaspora Within a Diaspora (Zvi Gitelman. ) The Armenians: Conflicting Identities and the Politics of Division (Razmik Panossian) The Ukrainians: Engaging the Eastern Diaspora (Andrew Wilson) The Kazakhs: Demographics, Diasporas, and Return (Sally N. Cummings) The Volga Tatars: Diasporas and the Politics of Federalism (Katherine E. Graney. ) The Poles: Western Aspirations, Eastern Minorities (Tim Snyder. ) Conclusion: Diasporas, International Relations, and Post-Soviet Eurasia (Neil J. Melvin and Charles King.)