‘Russia Report’ highlights Israel’s closeness to Moscow
Long-awaited publication by Intelligence and Security Committee accuses Moscow of 'seeking out division and intimidating those who appear isolated from the international community'
The long-awaited ‘Russia Report’ from MPs overseeing Britain’s intelligence services has pointed out Israel’s friendliness towards Moscow, noting its open-arm approach to oligarchs and its refusal to condemn the Kremlin.
Published on Tuesday after a long delay by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) of Parliament, the report accuses Russia of “seeking out division and intimidating those who appear isolated from the international community”.
While the UK has allies in its efforts to take a strong line against Moscow, the report’s authors note, they name several countries that do not share that approach, including several in Europe as well as Israel, in a partially redacted statement.
“Others do not share the UK’s concerns about Russia, or even if they do they are not willing to take such an assertive approach towards Russia’s malign activities,” the report reads.
“France does not appear to have publicly condemned Russian cyber activities, and it has been widely reported that other European governments, such as Austria and Italy, have appeared publicly to move closer to the Kremlin in the last few years.
“We also note reporting that Israel… has welcomed Russian oligarchs and their investment and has thus far been unwilling to challenge the Kremlin openly.”
After Russian agents poisoned the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2018 a total of 153 Russian spies were expelled from 29 countries around the world in an unprecedented show of support to the British government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin have a warm relationship, such that in 2016 Netanyahu asked Putin to use Russia’s veto in the United Nations Security Council to stop Resolution 2334, which accuses Israel of violating international law in the West Bank, when it became apparent that US President Barack Obama was planning to abstain. Putin refused.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
