Jerusalem reportedly fears growing Russian hostility over Israeli air strikes in Syria

Israel's Foreign Ministry reportedly fears growing Russian hostility towards the Jewish state for conducting air strikes in Syria against Iranian targets, according to Israeli Channel 13 news. 

On Moscow’s initiative, the United Nations Security Council recently debated strikes in Syria that were allegedly launched by the Israeli Air Force (IAF). Israel regularly strikes Iranian targets in Syria as part of its long-term campaign to prevent the ayatollah regime from building a military front on Israel’s northern border. 

Addressing the strikes in Syria, the UN’s Russian representative warned that “the violent attacks by Israel affect the entire region and must stop. Israel’s unilateral actions affect the entire region. The Security Council should work to convey a clear message to Israel on the issue.”

“This is a measured worsening of Russia’s tone towards Israel. We are following the progress of Russian steps closely,” stated an unnamed Israeli ministry official. 

Russia's move against the Jewish state follows a recent report that Israel will reverse its policy and provide assistance to Ukraine by exporting defensive military capabilities to the Ukrainian army. Russia has repeatedly warned Jerusalem that exporting military technology to Ukraine would undermine Russian-Israeli relations. 

Russia is one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with the United States, England, France and China. Despite growing political isolation following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia is scheduled to enter the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in April. 

In contrast to most Western democracies that have backed Ukraine in the war, Israel’s official policy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine was guided by the need to maintain a position of neutrality. Israel has justified its policy by saying it needed to maintain peace with Russia in order to preserve military operational freedom in Syria. Russia not only backs Syria but keeps a military presence in the country, positioned on Israel's northern border.

However, Russian-Israeli relations have increasingly deteriorated as Russia has strengthened its military ties with Iran. Furthermore, the West has increasingly pressured Israel to step up its aid to Ukraine.