Ya'alon to Russia: Tell Palestinians Israel is Jewish

Twenty years after renewal of diplomatic ties with Israel, vice prime minister urges Moscow to support Israel against PA, Iran. 'Canceling Iranian missile deal not enough,' he says

Aviel Magnezi|Published: 11.08.10 , 20:34

The Soviet Union supported the United Nations Partition Plan in 1947, when it was clear Israel will be a Jewish nation, and Russia should do so now as well, said Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon during an assembly marking the 20th anniversary of Russia's renewed diplomatic relations with Israel.

"Russia can publish a statement to the Palestinians that it is true now as well," said Ya'alon, who is also the minister of strategic affairs. "Only with this understanding we can march towards the peace that Israel seeks."

Ya'alon addressed global terrorism, and mentioned one activist behind the Turkish Mavi Marmara flotilla to Gaza who is suspected of being in contact with a terrorist organization that works against Russia. "The extremist Islamic organizations want Islam to rule the world," he said.

'Russian weapons in Hezbollah hands'

Ya'alon also stated that Iran leads the terrorism campaign in the Middle East. "We must cooperate in order to stop Iran's nuclear program," he said. "We thank the Russians for canceling the missile deal with Iran, but it might not be enough. We must take additional steps."

Amos Gilad, head of the Defense Ministry's Diplomatic Security Bureau, said in response that it has been clear over the past 15 years that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. "The Russians' decision to suspend the deal with Iran is dramatic, but they have reached it because they understood the danger it poses to the entire Middle East, unrelated to support of Israel," he said.

Ya'alon cautioned Russia to avoid making missile deals with Syria. "Syria buys weapons from Iran, and is working towards obtaining weapons that will disrupt the balance in the area," he said.

"Unfortunately, it buys weapons from Russia as well, and has recently bought from Russia missiles that threaten Israel."

In regard to the relations between Moscow and Damascus, Gilad noted that it does not mean that Russia supports terrorism. "Russia is against terrorism, but we live in a difficult 'neighborhood,'" he said. "We have asked Moscow to not provide these missiles to Syria, but our request was denied. We expect Russia to avoid supplying weapons to Syria, weapons that might eventually make its way to Hezbollah."