Russia's ambassador to Israel allegedly said in internal talks that "Yair Lapid's entry into the post of prime minister could create problems in relations between the two countries," according to a report in News 12 tonight (Wednesday).
A political source who spoke with "Israel Today" claimed that "this is baseless publicity. Relations with Russia have not changed and the conduct with the Russians has been and remains normal."
A spokeswoman for the Russian embassy in Israel also denied the allegations, saying that "the ambassador never said that.
"Nevertheless, during our working relations with our Israeli partners, we have clarified through social media our position on the crisis in Ukraine, and we hope that Israel will choose a more balanced and unbiased position on this issue. Among the countries we have built over more than 30 years. "
Since the outbreak of the war with Ukraine, Israel has maintained a particularly moderate line with Russia, due to fears of a reduction in the Air Force's freedom of action in Syria and also due to concern for the large Jewish community still living in Russia.
However, Lapid, in his role as foreign minister, took a tougher line toward the Russians.
After the massacre in Bocha, Lapid wrote on his Twitter account that "it is impossible to remain indifferent to the horrific images that were discovered in the city of Bocha near Kiev, after the Russian army left. A deliberate attack on the civilian population is a war crime and I strongly condemn it."
In contrast, then-Prime Minister Bennett took a more general language and refrained from naming Russia on behalf of the massacre.
About a month ago, it was reported that Russia was considering stopping the Jewish Agency's activities in the country in light of Israel's position regarding the war in Ukraine.
This is despite the fact that unlike most Western countries, Israel has completely refrained from supplying weapons to the Ukrainians despite repeated requests, and has provided only modest amounts of protective equipment to civilian organizations, such as helmets, uniforms and the like.
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