The tension between Israel and Russia surrounding the continued activity of the Jewish Agency in Russia, which is interpreted in Israel in part as Moscow's response to Prime Minister Yair Lapid's position regarding the crisis in Ukraine, once again illustrates the problematic nature of Israel's attempt to have its cake and eat it too: on the one hand, to maintain a good relationship with Moscow as much as possible, and at the same time demonstrate support for the West's positions in the context of the war in Ukraine.
President Biden's visit to Israel and the Jerusalem Declaration, even if lacking anything substantively new, illustrated the unequivocal commitment of the United States to Israel's security and well-being, and at the same time Israel's need to consider Washington's interests in the international arena. Therefore, it is important that Israel quickly formulate a coherent policy, which is derived first and foremost by the goal of maintaining the special relationship between it and the United States – even at the cost of policy adjustments vis-à-vis other countries. The Great Power competition and the goal of China and Russia to establish a new world order are expected to deepen the current tensions between them and the United States. In addition to the ongoing campaign in Ukraine, whose end is not in sight, it is possible that the planned visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, will greatly exacerbate the tensions between Washington and Beijing, which has already threatened to respond to the visit.
The political dilemmas that Israel faces are also expected to worsen, due to the tension between the need to maintain its position as an ally of the United States and, on the other hand, to protect its interests vis-à-vis Russia and China. It is likely that in Washington, in the administration as well as in Congress, Israel will be expected to stand resolutely on the American side. Beyond Israel's desire to present itself as a Western country that preserves democratic values and for which relations with the United States are a top priority, the challenges that will be faced by the Israeli government in the coming year – led by the provocative behavior of Iran in the absence of a nuclear agreement as well as the possibility of a security deterioration vis-à-vis Lebanon in the wake of Nasrallah's threats to foil the intention to produce gas from the Karish gas field – will oblige the government to deepen the strategic dialogue with Washington. The goals of this dialogue should be to align positions and formulate an agreed action plan in the face of developments, both in the regional and international arenas.
The tension between Israel and Russia surrounding the continued activity of the Jewish Agency in Russia, which is interpreted in Israel in part as Moscow's response to Prime Minister Yair Lapid's position regarding the crisis in Ukraine, once again illustrates the problematic nature of Israel's attempt to have its cake and eat it too: on the one hand, to maintain a good relationship with Moscow as much as possible, and at the same time demonstrate support for the West's positions in the context of the war in Ukraine.
President Biden's visit to Israel and the Jerusalem Declaration, even if lacking anything substantively new, illustrated the unequivocal commitment of the United States to Israel's security and well-being, and at the same time Israel's need to consider Washington's interests in the international arena. Therefore, it is important that Israel quickly formulate a coherent policy, which is derived first and foremost by the goal of maintaining the special relationship between it and the United States – even at the cost of policy adjustments vis-à-vis other countries. The Great Power competition and the goal of China and Russia to establish a new world order are expected to deepen the current tensions between them and the United States. In addition to the ongoing campaign in Ukraine, whose end is not in sight, it is possible that the planned visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, will greatly exacerbate the tensions between Washington and Beijing, which has already threatened to respond to the visit.
The political dilemmas that Israel faces are also expected to worsen, due to the tension between the need to maintain its position as an ally of the United States and, on the other hand, to protect its interests vis-à-vis Russia and China. It is likely that in Washington, in the administration as well as in Congress, Israel will be expected to stand resolutely on the American side. Beyond Israel's desire to present itself as a Western country that preserves democratic values and for which relations with the United States are a top priority, the challenges that will be faced by the Israeli government in the coming year – led by the provocative behavior of Iran in the absence of a nuclear agreement as well as the possibility of a security deterioration vis-à-vis Lebanon in the wake of Nasrallah's threats to foil the intention to produce gas from the Karish gas field – will oblige the government to deepen the strategic dialogue with Washington. The goals of this dialogue should be to align positions and formulate an agreed action plan in the face of developments, both in the regional and international arenas.