Israel is inclined to publish in the coming days a political "price tag" against Russia, which will be used in the event that Moscow carries out the threat to close down the activities of the Jewish Agency in the country. These are serious diplomatic steps at the level of relations between the countries, and a change in Israeli policy towards Ukraine is even being considered, even if in the first stage it will not be officially announced. The political elite are considering publishing the "price tag" even before the legal hearing on the agency issue, which will be held in Moscow on Thursday.
Prime Minister Lapid, who also serves as Foreign Minister, is still examining the range of possible measures presented to him, but the line he has decided on is one of attacking and exacting a price rather than neutralizing the Russians.
The working assumption in Jerusalem is that this is the only approach that may be effective against the Kremlin.
This morning (Sunday) Lapid convened a special discussion on the crisis with the participation of senior officials from the agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Council, alongside Minister of Construction and Housing Ze'ev Elkin and Minister of Finance Lieberman, who were invited due to their deep familiarity with Russia, and Minister of Aliya and Absorption Panina Tamno Sheta.
After the discussion, Lapid said that "the closure of the agency's offices will be a serious event that will affect the relations between the countries."
"Closing the agency's offices would be a serious event."
Prime Minister Yair Lapid (archive), photo: Mark Israel Salem
Elkin and Putin.
In-depth introduction, photo: Kobi Gideon LLC
The Prime Minister instructed the legal delegation organized by Israel to be ready to leave for Moscow as soon as the Russian approval for talks on the subject is received, and to make every effort to maximize the legal dialogue.
"Israel Hayom" learned that the delegation, which as mentioned was defined as "legal", also includes diplomats, with the understanding that this is a political crisis and its legal cover is only an excuse of the Russians.
Disappointment prevails in Israel with the Russian conduct, and political figures have pointed out that the legal process is proceeding at an unusual speed.
The reason why the Russians took the step is not entirely clear, but the assumption is that it is related to their dissatisfaction with Israel's position regarding the war in Ukraine, combined with other factors.
Among other things, explanations were put forward that the Russians are frustrated that the government's decision to transfer Alexander's court to them in Jerusalem is not being implemented for now, after the court invalidated it.
In addition, it is possible that in Moscow there is displeasure with the scope of the IDF's activities in Syria.
A political official who spoke with "Israel Today" said that "the Russian conduct takes us back 40 years, to the Iron Curtain period. We are clear that this is an initiated and deliberate political incident, but despite this, outwardly we intend to 'play the Russian game' according to which this is only a legal matter. That is why a delegation of jurists will go to Moscow, while at the same time diplomatic efforts are being made behind the scenes to resolve the crisis."
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