Moscow’s invitation to Hamas could be meant as warning to Israel, analysts say – JNS.org
Posted By admin on September 13, 2022
(September 13, 2022 / JNS) Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Moscow on Sept. 10 at the head of a senior delegation from the terror group for talks with Russian officials. Analysts speculate that Moscows invitation to Hamas, like an earlier one in May, is meant to send a message of dissatisfaction to Israel.
The Russians typically use meetings with Hamas to signal displeasure with Israel, perhaps in relation to Ukraine, Hillel Frisch, senior fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS), told JNS.
A noteworthy aspect of the May meeting is that it came a month after Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid, then foreign minister, accused Russia of war crimes in Ukraine, specifically in relation to alleged atrocities committed outside Kyiv. Of the current meeting, Frisch said it was unclear what specifically Russia may have found objectionable about Israeli statements or actions.
Anna Geifman, senior researcher at Bar-Ilan Universitys department of political science, told JNS that it might be a general warning, a way for Russia to tell Israel that if it takes a wrong step it will strengthen relations with the regions hostile actors. The message may be: If you become our enemy, were going to deal with your enemies, she said.
For Geifman, the important point is that this isnt something new. The Russians have always played the anti-Israel, or anti-Western, card whenever it was convenient for them, from the Soviet days. Theyve always talked to terrorists. Its not even a question of talkingits collaborating, she said.
Subscribe to The JNS Daily Syndicateby email and never missour top stories
Noting that the Soviet Union set up special schools to train terrorists, Geifman said not much has changed despite 25 years of supposed democracy. You can call them anything you like. Maybe theyre not Soviets, but if they act along the same old patterns, theyre the same old bad actors, she said.
Another reason for the Russian embrace of Hamas is that its options in terms of international diplomacy have shrunk, as Russia has become a pariah on the world stage with its invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has no one who wants to play with him. So hes happy to invite anyone. And, not surprisingly, its going be someone with whom no one wants to play either, said Geifman.
Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president of research at the Washington, D.C.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), agreed that this partly explains Moscows actions. Youre looking at a government that wants to demonstrate its ability to engage diplomatically around the world, amid an ongoing battle in Ukraine, he told JNS.
Perhaps it is an act of desperation, an effort by Putin to try to seek some legitimacy, or to demonstrate that hes still a world leader whos in demand, but it certainly strikes me as an odd choice given that its not as if Hamas can provide legitimacy, he added.
Thats some of the context, but I would actually argue that this move is a very deliberate attempt to demonstrate that there is a growing alliance that is taking shape around the world, he said.
It appears that Putin is building an axis of like-minded governments and entities, Schanzer said. It really does look like he is working to create a new revisionist axis that already includes the Iranians, includes China potentially, and includes North Korea.
The question is whether this is an effort to legitimize and recruit Hamas to be part of that broader coalition. Or is this for show, or something else entirely? said Schanzer. The bottom line is that there is no clear, mutual interest between these two actors. Russia doesnt have very clear interests as it relates to the Gaza Strip.
It is a bit of a jolt that a Russian leader whos largely isolated on the world stage and looking for new ways to engage appears to be legitimizing and elevating Hamas with this meeting, he said.
Schanzer also agreed that Russia may intend the meeting as a disapproving signal to Israel. Perhaps theres an escalation ladder that Putin is climbing: If you continue to malign me diplomatically, this is what youre going to get in return.
In terms of an Israeli reaction, he expects that if there is one, it will be via private channels given how carefully the Israelis have been acting due to Russias presence in Syria. If Russia promises Hamas something in terms of weaponry, the Israeli reaction might change, he said, but he sees that as an unlikely scenario given that Russia is not in a position where it has weapons to spare.
Geifman agreed: Israel will have to be careful primarily because of the Russians in Syria. Israel must have a free hand there as much as possible because of Iran and Hezbollah. And I dont think Russia is going to invest in Hamas. And even if they give them weapons, they wont be good weapons.
Follow this link:
Moscow's invitation to Hamas could be meant as warning to Israel, analysts say - JNS.org
- 60% of Americans back reevaluating ties with Israel if judicial reform passes poll - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Private diaries of 1948 generation offer 'authentic' history of Israel - The Jewish Chronicle - May 24th, 2023
- Israel's mixed cities: Jews still wealthier, although gaps are closing - The Jerusalem Post - May 24th, 2023
- Family building a house in northern Israel destroys 1,800-year-old burial cave - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Russia says Zelensky heads Nazi regime with blood ties to Israel - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Report: Israel nixed QuaDreams spyware deal with Morocco, leading to firms closure - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- UTJ MK: The government is not in our hands, Bank of Israel chief should quit - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Madonna said set to visit Israel this weekend for Shavuot, but won't ... - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Israel reportedly in advanced talks for direct flights to Hajj in Saudi Arabia - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Its painful for us: Poland invites Noa Kirel for visit after Eurovision remarks - The Times of Israel - May 20th, 2023
- Woman run over and killed while crossing road in northern Israel - The Times of Israel - May 20th, 2023
- Tlaibs shameful weaponization of the Elie Wiesel Genocide Act against Israel - The Hill - May 20th, 2023
- US said to propose joint military planning with Israel on Iran, but Jerusalem wary - The Times of Israel - May 20th, 2023
- Governor Abbott Celebrates 75th Anniversary Of Israel's ... - Office of the Texas Governor - May 20th, 2023
- Israel draws fire from allies over Flag March, lawmakers visits to Temple Mount - The Times of Israel - May 20th, 2023
- Israel to invest $40 million in North American Jewish day schools - The Jewish News of Northern California - May 20th, 2023
- Israel Is Hurtling Toward a New Kind of Illiberal Regime - Israel News - Haaretz - May 20th, 2023
- The song that binds me to Israel | Sally Abrams | The Blogs - The Times of Israel - May 20th, 2023
- Israel's Eli Cohen aims to make more diplomatic breakthroughs than ever - The Jerusalem Post - May 20th, 2023
- Why is Israel so vital to the West? - Middle East Eye - May 20th, 2023
- Israel's operation in Gaza: A new level in precision fighting - opinion - The Jerusalem Post - May 20th, 2023
- This Irish immigrant to Israel has lived a life of courage and devotion - The Jerusalem Post - May 20th, 2023
- A harsh return to Israel after a blissful time in Italy - opinion - The Jerusalem Post - May 20th, 2023
- Israel: Pioneer Of The High-tech Industry, Zohar Zisapel, Dies At Age ... - i24NEWS - May 20th, 2023
- Israel looks to make history at mens U-20 soccer World Cup after Indonesia snub - The Times of Israel - May 20th, 2023
- Israel and Iranian people can fight the Iran regime together - opinion - The Jerusalem Post - May 20th, 2023
- Singer Nicole Raviv Honors Israel and Aims To Unite People With ... - Jewish Journal - May 20th, 2023
- The OECD's Herculean tax task and how it impacts Israel - The Jerusalem Post - May 20th, 2023
- Fingerhut reflects on JFNA GA in Israel - Cleveland Jewish News - May 20th, 2023
- Better Place: Israel's electric car start-up killed by its own success - The Jerusalem Post - May 20th, 2023
- Israel's biometric lab and its war against fraud at the borders - Ynetnews - May 20th, 2023
- BBC's 'disinformation' reporter should look at the way they cover Israel - The Jewish Chronicle - May 20th, 2023
- Scoop: U.S. proposed conducting joint military planning with Israel on Iran - Axios - May 17th, 2023
- US skips UN Nakba event marking dispossession of Palestinians after Israeli campaign - CNN - May 17th, 2023
- Hamas and Gazas incendiary balloon unit threaten to disrupt Jerusalem Flag March - The Times of Israel - May 17th, 2023
- Israel Has the Raw Military Power, but Palestinians Hold the Upper ... - Haaretz - May 17th, 2023
- Israel's Coalition and Opposition Nearing Agreements on Aspects of ... - Haaretz - May 17th, 2023
- What is Israel's role in the global gaming industry? - The Jerusalem Post - May 17th, 2023
- Iran is playing the long game against Israel, experts warn - JNS.org - May 17th, 2023
- Israel reopens Gaza crossings, shut since launch of Operation Shield and Arrow - The Times of Israel - May 17th, 2023
- Swedish party with Nazi roots wants to be friends of Israel, Jews - The Jerusalem Post - May 17th, 2023
- A house divided: New book explores roots of the rifts between Israels many tribes - The Times of Israel - May 17th, 2023
- The West is blind to the jihad against Israel - JNS.org - May 17th, 2023
- Israel, US, Cyprus and France to hold disaster preparedness event ... - Arutz Sheva - May 17th, 2023
- TASE and the SFI Group to launch first-of-its-kind Israel joint impact ... - PR Newswire - May 17th, 2023
- Daily Briefing May 17: Once hailed as Israels MLK, Ayman Odeh is leaving the Knesset - The Times of Israel - May 17th, 2023
- Israel, Islamic Jihad reach cease-fire after days of violence which ... - May 15th, 2023
- Ceasefire between Israel and Islamic Jihad in Gaza area takes effect ... - May 15th, 2023
- Cease-fire between Israel and militants in Gaza appears to hold - May 15th, 2023
- Israel - National Geographic Kids - May 15th, 2023
- Israel-Palestine: UN chief condemns killing of civilians as deadly Gaza ... - May 15th, 2023
- Abbas calls on UN to oust Israel at world bodys first Nakba Day commemoration - The Times of Israel - May 15th, 2023
- Israel wins Rest of World Vote during Eurovision grand final...followed by Finland and Armenia - wiwibloggs - May 15th, 2023
- Israel strikes Gaza homes of Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants ... - May 11th, 2023
- Kevin McCarthy blocks Rashida Tlaib from hosting 'antisemitic' event calling Israel a 'catastrophe' - Fox News - May 11th, 2023
- Israel protests continue for 18th consecutive week and other world news you may have missed - Yahoo News - May 11th, 2023
- Kevin McCarthy wants to use Israel's Netanyahu to embarrass Biden - MSNBC - May 3rd, 2023
- In Israel, son of last shah says Iranians absolutely ready for Israel ties - The Times of Israel - April 20th, 2023
- Hungary and Poland provide model for Israels assault on judiciary ... - April 16th, 2023
- Thousands of Israelis in new protests against judicial reforms - Al Jazeera English - April 16th, 2023
- Israel seeks US support for IDF buildup as expert predicts Iran strike ... - April 14th, 2023
- Israels President Sees Hope for Judicial Compromise - New York Times - April 14th, 2023
- Crises on multiple fronts threaten Benjamin Netanyahus grip on power - April 10th, 2023
- Tensions simmer in Jerusalem after Israel responds to rocket attacks with strikes on targets in Syria - NBC News - April 10th, 2023
- Israel launches airstrikes in Lebanon and Gaza Strip after biggest ... - April 8th, 2023
- Rockets fired from Lebanon toward Israel in major escalation - April 7th, 2023
- Israel Moves Forward With Far-Right Plan for National Guard - April 4th, 2023
- Netanyahu is leading a coup against his own country. But the threat is ... - April 2nd, 2023
- Thousands protest in Israel despite judicial overhaul pause - April 2nd, 2023
- Israeli police shoot and kill a man near Al-Aqsa Mosque - NPR - April 2nd, 2023
- Israel news: What's behind the strikes, protests and escalating Israeli ... - March 28th, 2023
- Israel protests, strikes: Netanyahu survives no-confidence vote over ... - March 28th, 2023
- Israels president calls for halt to judicial overhaul after mass ... - March 28th, 2023
- Military: rocket fired from Gaza lands on southern Israel - March 20th, 2023
- Astonishing: Atwood Responds to The Handmaids Tale Becoming Israeli Protest Symbol - Israel News - Haaretz - March 20th, 2023
- The Holy Land and Us review this taboo-busting look at Israel and Palestine isnt afraid of controversy - The Guardian - March 20th, 2023
- Ahead of ghetto uprising anniversary, Polish and Israeli flags again fly over Warsaw - The Times of Israel - March 20th, 2023
- Yuval Noah Harari: This is definitely a coup. Israel is on its way to becoming a dictatorship - Haaretz - March 10th, 2023
- America can't keep writing a blank check to Israel's authoritarian government - Haaretz - March 2nd, 2023
- Economists post new warning: Judicial overhaul meltdown could be fast and furious - The Times of Israel - March 2nd, 2023
Comments