Friday, May 6, 2022

Kremlin Denies Putin Apologized to Israeli PM Bennett Over Lavrov's "Hitler Had Jewish Blood" Comments

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued a statement indicating that Vladimir Putin had apologized to him for Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's "Hitler had Jewish blood" comments last weekend.


Could it be something was lost in translation? Or is one or both of the parties lying?

Somehow I cannot see Putin issuing an apology to anyone for any reason. It isn't that Lavrov made a flippant remark. The Russian Foreign Ministry subsequently criticized Israel for supporting a neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine. I simply cannot see Lavrov going into business for himself and making these statements without Putin's blessings. There's also no reason to believe that Lavrov has fallen out of favor with Putin. 

Let's assume Putin offered no apology. Why would Bennett say that it did? Is it because as offensive as Lavrov's comments were Israel is in greater need of Russia's co-operation in striking Iranian targets in Syria?

Now let's assume Putin did apologize but the Kremlin is lying about it. The only reason I can think Putin would do this is because he does not care for the current Israeli government and would prefer to see the return of Benjamin Netanyahu. It's not so much a question of Bennett but rather Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid who has been far more publicly critical of Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Russia has not shied from blasting Lapid for backing its ouster from the UN Human Rights Council. Under the terms of the power sharing agreement, Lapid is due to become Prime Minister in August 2023. 

Of course, this might not come to pass because the coalition lost its majority a month ago following the resignation of Idit Silman although it is possible Lapid could head a caretaker government if new elections are forced. If Putin is happy to interfere in American and French politics why would he refrain from doing so in Israel? There are no limits on his power and he can play the long game whereas Israel does not have this luxury. 

In the meantime, while Israel provides Ukraine humanitarian aid there will be no military aid forthcoming let alone sanctions on Russia.

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