Netanyahu calls Putin, takes neutral stance on Ukraine

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: Jerusalem Post

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu initiated a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss bilateral issues, Iran and Ukraine, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The conversation came amid escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine, and as Netanyahu was trying to maneuver carefully through the Ukraine crisis, not antagonizing or alienating neither Washington or Moscow.

According to the Kremlin statement, Putin provided an assessment of the processes occurring in Ukraine, and “pointed out that the sharp escalation of the crisis is the result of Kiev’s irresponsible policy, which disregards the lawful rights and interests of the country’s Russian-speaking citizens. He stressed the inadmissibility of the current regime’s use of armed forces to suppress public protests in southeastern Ukraine.”

The statement said that the leaders “agreed to continue regular exchanges of opinion on issues of mutual interest.”



Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Netanyahu-Putin-discuss-Iran-Ukraine-via-telephone-348601

[kelliekat44]

1. Can't get Obama to bomb Iran. I guess Bibbi will try Putin? nt

[Jesus Malverde]

2. it's more simple than that.

The FM of Israel and many others were born in Russia. They speak russian, eat russian food and have Russian cultural tendencies.

For them it's easy to relate to their mother country and anathema to reject it.

[jaysunb]

3. +1 n/t

[kelliekat44]

10. Please enlighten me then

What was "Save Russian Jewry" all about during the late 70s-80s?

[Jesus Malverde]

11. There is always a movement to get people of jewish faith and background to immigrate to Israel.

From wherever they may come from. (Aliyah)

By the end of 1960s, Jewish cultural and religious life in the Soviet Union had become practically impossible, and the majority of Soviet Jews were assimilated and non-religious. (wikipedia)

People emigrated from the soviet union for a number of reasons. (from wikipedia)

Jews were discriminated against in higher education institutions (in a policy known as Numerus clausus), by government institutions, and in professional advancement.
Anti-Zionistic propaganda was common in the Soviet media.
Many Jews were dissatisfied with the political and economic situation.
Increased nationalism among Soviet nations made some Jews consider their right for a national identity.
There was increased communication between Soviet Jews and Jews worldwide.

Israel need to bolster their losing population race against "the arabs" and grow a state that suffers ongoing emigration to the United States and Europe. In the 70's and 80's there were many generous incentives to emigrate to both Israel and the United States.

The people who emigrate to Israel bring with them the traditions of their original countries. Whether they come from the old soviet union, Europe, or Ethiopia their birth countries instill traditions that form their character.

It's like italian catholics, or mexican catholics immigrating to the United States. Both are catholic however when they sit down for dinner there will be big differences.

Much of what we experience in the United States as uniquely "jewish" culture, for example food, be that matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, or bagels with salmon and cream cheese are actually unique to people of jewish faith and background from Europe. (Ashkenazi)

People who originated in the mediterranean, Middle East or Ethiopia did not share those traditions in their countries of origin. (Sephardi and Mizrahi)

Like any country made up of immigrants, Israel is in a sense a "melting pot" like the United States.

For that reason, whether it be language, food, or other aspects of culture, People of Jewish faith or backgrounds who emigrated from Russia to Israel. Have a great affinity for their country of origin.

[ozone_man]

31. Thanks for that explanation. n/t

[okaawhatever]

15. Really? You've got it all figured out. What about the part where Russia treated the Jews like

$hit? And truthfully, the reason there are so any Russian Jews back in Israel is because the Israeli government gave the info their spy Jonathan Pollard got from the US and traded it to the Russians in exchange for Russian Jews being allowed to leave Russia. 'Cause ya know, it kind of sucked for them in Russia.
There is no doubt in my mind that Avigdor Lieberman has been giving all classified to intel to Putin in exchange for something for himself. He beat the last corruption charges, but let's see....I hear there are more coming.

[Jesus Malverde]

20. Holy cow that got spewed out.

Take a breath dear person.

Your word salad is covered in oil and VINEGAR.

[Indykatie]

4. So Much For That Close "Friendship" with Israel n/t

[Catherina]

5. Haaretz nailed it a few days ago "U.S. officials angry: Israel doesn’t back stance on Russia"

U.S. officials angry: Israel doesn’t back stance on Russia

13.04.14

White House and State Department officials in Washington have built up a great deal of anger over Jerusalem's "neutrality" regarding Russia's invasion of the Crimean Peninsula. Senior figures in the Obama administration have expressed great disappointment with the lack of support from Israel for the American position on the Ukraine crisis and with the fact that the Israeli government puts its relations...

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.585333

This despite all the pressure the US has been putting on Israel.

Under U.S. pressure, Israel issues first statement on Ukraine crisis
Terse statement, which precedes Lieberman-Kerry meeting in Rome, is careful not to insult Russia or President Vladimir Putin.
05.03.14

After pressure from the United States government, the Israeli government issued its first official statement on the crisis in Ukraine Wednesday night. In its laconic statement, Israel did not comment on the Russian invasion into Crimea but only underscored that it hopes the crisis will be solved peacefully.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.578197#

Less than two year ago the Israeli government was complaining to Kiev about the rise of Svoboda and other neonazi elements. No sense expecting Israel to be too pleased about having bona fide "88" lapel pin wearers occupying important posts in a European government. For our government to now whine about Israel not supporting us in the UN is beyond pitiful.

Israel skipped out on both UN meetings to condemn Russia.

US angry with Israel's 'neutrality' over Ukrainian crisis
13 April 2014

US officials expressed anger over Israel's policy of "non-interference" with the Russian annexation of the Crimea; Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported.

A US official told the paper that the White House was disappointed with Israel's absence from the UN General Assembly meeting two weeks ago to vote on condemning Russia's military invasion of the Crimea and call to maintain Ukraine's territorial integrity.

"We have been consulting closely on Ukraine not only with our partners and allies around the world. Obviously we are looking to the entire international community to condemn Russia's actions and to support Ukraine, so we were surprised to see that Israel did not join the large majority of countries that voted to support Ukraine's territorial integrity at the United Nations. Israel's justification that it did not attend the meeting due to the Foreign Ministry strike is unacceptable" said the senior US official.

The US official said that Washington is particularly angry with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's failure to publically support the US position on the crisis.

According to Haaretz the US is especially disappointed with FM Lieberman who equated Israel's relations with the United States to its relations with Russia. Lieberman is reported to have told Channel 9 that Israel has "good and trusting relations with the Americans and the Russians, and our experience has been very positive with both sides". The official said "I do not understand this point of view, which calls for Israel to be dragged into this quagmire".

...

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/americas/10861-us-angry-with-israels-neutrality-over-ukrainian-crisis

Israel is very wise not to get involved and jeopardize its good relations with Russia.

[JoseGaspar]

7. There are "issues".

The largest anti-semitic "university" in the world is in Lvov (MAUP with 55,000 students).

The entire Ukrainian "right" is drowning in Nazi and SS symbology. The party symbol of Svoboda is not just a wolfsangel but the exact same wolfsangel as was the symbol of the 2nd SS Division in WWII.

Holocaust denial is losing the competition to holocaust celebration. Streets have been renamed in "honor" of the SS Nightingale Battalion. A major celebration was held this year on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the creation of SS Division Galicia, which was recruited in the Western Ukraine.

Every manner of the most murderous atrocities in modern history are being rewritten as heroism.

I feel this might be a problem, even for Bibi...

[Catherina]

9. Heh. Drowning in it you say? Indeed. It's impossible to miss

I posted this back in early March but it was inconvenient to the war propaganda effort

As in the 30s, we're assured not to worry, that it's just a small group, nothing to see here

Sick shit. Note all the SS Svoboda flags.

This is nasty nasty stuff.

Heck, they've even got a university. David Duke speaks there often and has an honorary degree from it but they don't think anyone should worry about such "a small aspect" (minute 5). This video as part of a 12 part series produced in 2011.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4617954

and other stuff like this. The denials, as if people couldn't see the 88 lapel pins or figure out just what kind of a salute the head of Svoboda, Oleh Tyahnybok, is giving in his publicity pics, are disgraceful.

Victoria Nuland got her photo op with with Oleh Tyahnybok. I think Merkel, Rasmussen, Hollande, Cameron, Kerry, McCain, Hillary, Obama and everyone supporting that putsch should get one too.


US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland together Neo Nazi Svoboda leader Oleh Tyahnybok (left)


Svoboda neo Nazi leader Oleh Tyahnybok giving the Sieg Heil


Here, a closeup of that 88 Heil Hitler lapel pin. I have an even more focused one but can't find it right now.



Svoboda proper has 4 positions in the putsch government. Gives you the warm fuzzies doesn't it? How could this not be a problem for Israel? As if having 20% of its population being dual Russian wasn't enough, they had to throw Nazis in the mix.

By the way, I admire your posts here very much. I wish you would post more.

[JoseGaspar]

19. thank you

I rarely come to this site. I don't think I have logged-on in years.

Still, open apology for real, live Nazis is a stimulus.

[Jesus Malverde]

24. the Cheney Agenda is alive and kicking...nt

Its enough to push all our buttons.

[Jesus Malverde]

25. If ever there was some scary imagery this would be it.

That Nuland could stand with this fascist shows how cynical and hypocritical our empire has become.

[Catherina]

27. Much scarier now, the desperate propaganda to get Israel on board

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014782454

[Jesus Malverde]

30. I just took that as part and parcel of the humanitarian war meme.

We destroyed Libya because of "viagra" memes.

When they massacred the sub saharan Libyans under NATOs air cover the silence was deafening.

[arewenotdemo]

28. She seems very pleased that she was able to midwife the whole thing.

And not at all concerned about the photo-op with Tyahnybok.

[amandabeech]

32. So you're okay with the folks in Donetz in the Southeast,

trying to officially identify all Jews, apparently as they were coming out of the synagogue?

Or hadn't you noticed.

[JoseGaspar]

33. No

But it is a totally bullshit story. Check the ADL website. Read the Jerusalem Post. They even have a pretty good idea of who made this shit up by now.

You (we) have a responsibility to check this out before we repeat it because we know what it is supposed to do. It takes a bunch of very rabid Nazis off the hook by implying that everyone is a Nazis ("on both sides of the issue", yadda, yadda).

This is the worst kind of bullshit and that goes 10,000 times over for Kerry. If he didn't know, then shame on him. If he did know, then fuck him.

There are real lines for which no kind of political partisanship or objective is an excuse. Nazism is one such line.

It doesn't matter if one steps over that line or obscures that line. The effect is the same.

[pscot]

6. Israel thinks thy've got our pecker

in their pocket, to borrow phrase from LBJ.

[cosmicone]

8. How can Israel support a government of neonazis?

In reality, how can WE?

[JoseGaspar]

13. "In reality, how can WE?"

Finally...

The $64,000 question.

[EX500rider]

29. I know right, supporting Russia, hard to believe... n/t

[jakeXT]

12. Russia or Ukraine? For some Israelis, Holocaust memories are key

...

Some Israeli officials have been perversely calculating aloud which great power we owe more to — perversely, because every Israeli child knows the answer, in terms of military supplies, diplomatic support at the United Nations and political support around the world. They also know how much we could lose if the White House and the State Department got really mad at us.

Nevertheless, some officials defend a pro-Russia position, on grounds that are unclear and certainly unexpressed. In this respect, the present dilemma is reminiscent of the last, at the end of the 1990s, when Washington naturally expected support from client states like Israel for its anti-Serbian Balkans policy – and found the Israeli foreign minister, Ariel Sharon, much less than enthusiastic. This happened despite Prime Minister Netanyahu’s repeated urgings that Israel broadcast its support for its patron.

Sharon’s motives were unclear. They were never fully explained. Senior Foreign Ministry officials pointed to Jewish interests. He was thinking, they suggested, of the still-very-large Jewish community in Russia and its still-precarious situation.

Others suggested the Holocaust as the source of his policy making. The Serbs had been persecuted by the German SS. Many had been shot alongside Jews and Gypsies. Jewish refugees brought stories of Serbs saving Jews and standing up to Germans. (Late politician and journalist Tommy Lapid told such stories. He, like Sharon, was loath to join the NATO-led anti-Serbian front.)

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.585494

[cosmicone]

14. Also, Kosovo Liberation Army

is 100% Muslim, 100% pro-Palestinian and 100% anti-Israel. How can Israel support their side?

[Jefferson23]

16. They both approve of annexing other people's land. n/t

[Jesus Malverde]

17. Ouch the sting...DUZY

Astute out of the box observation.

[Jefferson23]

18. I can't take credit for that..there have been OP's about in the press.

Spot on too.

[Jefferson23]

21. Here ya go Russia, like Israel, has no real commitment to diplomacy unless it can act as a cover for

snip* Russia, like Israel, has no real commitment to diplomacy unless it can act as a cover for military expansionism or as a delaying tactic while it entrenches its grip on the West Bank and makes it permanent. Large swathes of the Israeli corporate and political establishment have extremely close ties to Russia, in the wake of the post-Soviet influx, and the Russian immigrants are among the most hardline with respect to the Palestinians. And you can see the rapport between Netanyahu and Putin as clearly as you can see the lack of chemistry between Netanyahu and Obama.

http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2014/04/14/the-burgeoning-israel-russia-alliance/

[Jesus Malverde]

22. Thanks for the link and the observation.

[Jefferson23]

23. You're welcome! n/t

[Orsino]

26. Hey, one military occupation at a time. n/t

[ck4829]

34. Kick