The Putinization of Israel

[Storebought]

A commentary from Haaretz argues that Israel is increasingly falling into Russia's sphere of influence:

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This despite the fact that Russia is not nearly the ally that the EU is in terms of trade (nor will ever be) and the US is in terms of security and depth of influence (Russia has Jewish oligarchs, but there is certainly no Kremlin equivalent of AIPAC).

Note: I decided a new topic instead of the Israel thread because that is devoted more to local politics.

[Blue3]

They kind of deserve each other.

If it wasn't for AIPAC and the like, we'd probably have a similar relationship with Netanyahu's Israel that we do we Putin's Russia.
(And yes, each country's government is basically owned by their respective leader when it comes to these two individuals by this point. It was never Medvedev's Russia but it is definitely Putin's Russia, it was never Olmert's Israel but it's definitely Netanyahu's Israel.)

Israel denouncing America and siding with Russia openly would actually bring some clarity to the world. Not that I want anyone to denounce us, but the evangelical Christians in this country have blinded the Republican Party and older Democrats to Israeli offences, that they're not properly held accountable.

[Green Line]

Well, thats Israel's loss moreso than ours.

[Comrade Funk]

That would be a huge mistake for Israel. We are the only thing stopping them from becoming a pariah state and they return the favor by slandering our leaders. Israel needs new leadership, from the left-wing because the right either support status quo or further radical solutions such as annexation.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

That would be a huge mistake for Israel. We are the only thing stopping them from becoming a pariah state and they return the favor by slandering our leaders. Israel needs new leadership, from the left-wing.

There isn't going to be a left-wing Israeli leader again, at least not in this generation. Ehud Barak and later Ehud Olmert poisoned that well completely. You can't win an election when you lose the security question by 60%. If Netanyahu - arguably the weakest potential Likud leader - won reelection decisively with low poll numbers and the American President actively encouraging his ouster, the right isn't losing any time soon.

That being said, they'll definitely be better off once a moderate right-winger like Nir Barkat takes charge.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

As for Israel and Putin, I think this will all heavily be determined by what happens after Obama leaves office. Right now, Israel doesn't trust Obama to protect them at the UN. That leaves them with no choice but to potentially set up some quid pro quo with Putin to obtain their veto. They're covering both sides, but if Obama decides to set up a last-minute strike at the UN, perhaps even after the election, Israel will be prepared. If there's one thing they've learned from history, it's caution and backup plans.

[Green Line]

As for Israel and Putin, I think this will all heavily be determined by what happens after Obama leaves office. Right now, Israel doesn't trust Obama to protect them at the UN. That leaves them with no choice but to potentially set up some quid pro quo with Putin to obtain their veto. They're covering both sides, but if Obama decides to set up a last-minute strike at the UN, perhaps even after the election, Israel will be prepared. If there's one thing they've learned from history, it's caution and backup plans.

Huh?  The Obama Administration has continued blocking resolutions and voting in favor of Israel just like every administration before them.  What do you mean by a last minute strike at the UN?  They've taken literally no steps that would even hint at abstaining, much less initiate their own action at the UN against Israel.

[Comrade Funk]

That would be a huge mistake for Israel. We are the only thing stopping them from becoming a pariah state and they return the favor by slandering our leaders. Israel needs new leadership, from the left-wing.

There isn't going to be a left-wing Israeli leader again, at least not in this generation. Ehud Barak and later Ehud Olmert poisoned that well completely. You can't win an election when you lose the security question by 60%. If Netanyahu - arguably the weakest potential Likud leader - won reelection decisively with low poll numbers and the American President actively encouraging his ouster, the right isn't losing any time soon.

That being said, they'll definitely be better off once a moderate right-winger like Nir Barkat takes charge.

When did Ehud Olmert become left-wing? Obama and this administration, like stated above, has defended Israel like all others before it. Without Obama and the UN Ambassador, Israel would be screwed. Russia will not risk their allies in the Mid East in order to become the new guardian of Israel, so America is all Israel has, and intimidating one of the two parties isn't helping. If Israel wants to become more right-wing with a nut like Bennett, fine, but expect further decreased support from the Democratic Party. Israel can't afford for it to become a partisan issue.

Diskin, Ashkenazi, Gantz are all possible alternatives to the current left-wing establishment. It's amazing Herzog did as well as he did, so all hope isn't lost. And yes, a moderate right-winger could be good too, but do you seriously see Likud becoming more moderate?

[Storebought]

I don't see why Putin is so particularly loved for his strategy against militant Islam, since in Chechnya at least it amounts to the same bribe-and-rule strategy the west has employed in the Middle East for decades.

[DavidB.]

This is all a bit too much hyped-up. So Netanyahu and Putin had a nice conversation. So what? Doesn't mean anything in long-term geopolitical terms. Russia is allied with Israel's enemies in the region and that will not change. Similarly, Israel is part of the Western geopolitical bloc in the region and that will not change either. Analyzing international relations means seeing through all kinds of smokescreens.

Also the idea that Israel is turning its back on Europe is of course ridiculous; it's rather the other way round.

[Hnv1]

A. as a left-leftist I'de say take Haaretz on this with a grain of salt
B. as someone who worked in the Israeli-US defense relations I can say this is bollocks and the level of ccordination between  the states in military issues is at an all time zenith, especially regarding matters like this...
C. Israel isn't falling under the Russian sphere of influence, Israel understands the new situation in the region with the Russian increased influence and did its best to better the situation for Israel and allow it maneuvering space with regards to the IAF conduct

[DavidB.]

A. as a left-leftist

lol

[Hnv1]

A. as a left-leftist

lol

well it really means "as an Haaretz daily reader who is very much to the left in Israel"