Will Israeli defense minister's exit impact Russia-Israel cooperation on Syria?
The resignation of Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman has triggered discussion in Russian circles about whether the departure of a man deemed a staunch advocate for a "special relationship" with Moscow will affect Benjamin Netanyahu's cooperation with Vladimir Putin on Syria.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s resignation yesterday sparked debates not only about the fate of the country's current ruling coalition but also about the future of Israeli-Russian relations — especially when it comes to Syria.
Born in the former Soviet Union in what is currently the Republic of Moldova and fluent in Russian, Liberman leads the right-wing party Yisrael Beitenu and has had a reputation as an advocate for stronger relations with Moscow. His party is popular among Jews from the former Soviet Union who made “aliyah” — or homecoming — to Israel in 1990s. Liberman, a controversial politician who has frequently received serious backlash from left-wing parties and human rights organizations for his hateful rhetoric against Arabs, had significant success in the 2009 elections when Yisrael Beitenu won 15 seats in the Knesset and went on to become the second largest party after Likud.
Following corruption scandals that plagued party officials, some part of the so-called "Russian base" turned away from Yisrael Beitenu, and in 2015 it received only six seats. The program of Liberman’s party did not include developing relations with Russia and was more focused on social and security issues. Yet while he was Israeli minister of foreign affairs (2009-2012, 2013-2015), one of his priorities was a more close and trustful dialogue with Moscow.
Since 2016, when he took over as defense minister, relations with Russia — particularly concerning Syria — became a focus of Israel's foreign policy. His “personal diplomacy” came as an advantage in this sphere.
