Putin’s visit to Israel a milestone
Israel has experimented with failed appointees to a crucial post of ambassador to Russia
Russia President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to Israel is a major event and a milestone in Israel’s foreign relations.
It is also the culmination of the ongoing efforts of Russia’s prominent and very able ambassador, Gennadi Tarasov, to upgrade and enrich Russian – Israeli relations.
Mr. Tarasov maintained throughout his tenure that the potential for growth of Israeli-Russian relations must be mutually nurtured and advanced by both Israelis and Russians, looking over and beyond the old images that have curtailed the improvement of these ties thus far.
Putin’s visit is an indication of his profound alliance with Israel, despite problems that marred the relations between Israel and Russia as of late. Putin asserts that he is determined to enhance relations, foster cooperation, and play a more active role in advancing the peace process in the Middle East.
I have had the privilege of attending meetings of Foreign Ministers Ariel Sharon and David Levy with Putin, and each time I was impressed by the affinity and goodwill he conveyed in those meetings.
Mending fences
He would fondly reminisce about his visit to Israel and the day he spent with his family on a kibbutz.
I urged my superiors to appoint a high-ranking professional for the important post of Israel’s ambassador to Russia (Mr. Nathan Meron) and to no longer experiment with a failed series of political appointees.
We maintained that relations with Russia ought to be cultivated and fostered.
Unfortunately and unwisely, not all Israeli leaders and governments acted accordingly, down to the point of tolerating meetings in Israel of Russian citizens conniving against the rule of Putin.
Now is the time to mend fences, to recognize the added value and potential of Israeli-Russian relations.
Now is the time to solidify relations, taking advantage and making good use of the growing segment of ex-Russian Israelis who are cementing those ties in virtually all walks of life.
Israel should respect Putin’s efforts to restructure the Russian economy, even though, on occasion, we are not enthused by the means that are being undertaken.
The leader of a great country
Oddly enough, the problem of undue influence by moguls of fortune over governments is no less severe (though on a much smaller scale) in Israel than in Russia. The yoke between fortune and political power is nowadays one of Israel’s predicaments.
Putin’s efforts to reconstruct the Russian economy should be regarded also in the context of endeavoring to meet with W.T.O. conditions and attain the economic success of Russia’s G8 partners.
The issue of the supply of missiles by Russia to Syria should be raised by Israel not only as an expression of concern but also to urge Putin to implore Syria to make, in return, confidence building measures vis à vis Israel, first and foremost to allow the family of the late Eli Cohen to have him respectfully brought to burial in Israel.
As long as Syria abstains from doing so, it should not be considered worthy of being a member of the international community.
Putin is the leader of a great country - its historic role in battling the Nazi army will never be forgotten and shall forever be registered in Jewish history.
I can only subscribe to the title of the article ( Moscow Times) “The World Needs a Strong Russia,” which was written a few days ago by American Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow.
-Eytan Bentsur is former Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
