Israel’s new foreign minister comes under fire after Russia’s Lavrov remarks

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Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on January 2. Photo: Handout/Israeli Foreign Ministry/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

New Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s inaugural speech and a phone call he had with his Russian counterpart this week drew criticism in Israel, Ukraine and the United States.

Why it matters: Cohen’s remarks hinting that Israel would no longer publicly condemn Russia for the war in Ukraine and his appeal with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, some of his first moves since taking office last last week raised questions about a possible change in policy towards Russia by the new Israeli government.

“On the issue of Russia and Ukraine, we will do one thing for sure less public speaking,” he said.

Driving the News: In his speech on Monday, Cohen said he would develop a responsible new policy on the war in Ukraine and stressed that the Department of Foreign Affairs would prepare a detailed presentation to the Security Cabinet on this issue.

Cohen spoke with Lavrov on Tuesday in the first communication between the Israeli and Russian foreign ministers since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began last February. Cohen’s call and speech were interpreted by some as a shift in Israeli policy towards Ukraine towards a more pro-Russian line.

Catching up quickly: Israel has largely taken a cautious approach to the war, fearing that certain Israeli statements and actions could push Moscow to limit Israel’s freedom of operation against Iranian targets in Syria.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tried to mediate between Russia and Ukraine at the start of the war. When then-foreign minister Yair Lapid became prime minister last June, he took a much more pro-Ukrainian line in public, but still refused to supply Ukraine with a weapons system. defensive.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was not in power when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, for months avoided criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he had a very close relationship. since many years.

But after his bloc won Israeli elections in November, Netanyahu criticized Putin and his decision to invade Ukraine. He also told US media that he would consider supplying arms to Ukraine once he takes office.

What they’re saying: Cohens’ comments this week immediately drew widespread criticism on social media, including from one of Israel’s staunchest allies in Congress, Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS. VS.).

“The idea that Israel should talk less about Russia’s criminal invasion of Ukraine is a little baffling,” Graham tweeted on Monday. “Silence about Russia’s criminal behavior will not age well,” he added.

On the other side: Israeli officials, appearing to be in damage control on Tuesday, pointed out that it was Lavrov who requested the call with Cohen.

A senior Israeli official also said Cohen’s speech did not mean that Israel should not publicly criticize Russia. Instead, Cohen’s remarks were aimed at former Prime Minister Bennetts’ mediation efforts, which he conducted in public, not in private, the official said.

Israeli officials also pointed out that Cohen informed Secretary of State Tony Blinken of his intention to speak with the Russian foreign minister.

The senior Israeli official told Axios Blinken that he had no objection to the call with Lavrov and asked Cohen to deliver a message to the Russian foreign minister. State Department officials did not respond to questions on this issue. Israeli officials said the message concerned the war in Ukraine and the tension between the United States and Russia. Israeli officials said the call was very positive and that Cohen used it to raise Israel’s concerns about deepening military cooperation between Russia and Iran.

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