Israel/Palestine

bemildred

(90,061 posts) Mon Jun 25, 2012, 08:26 AM Jun 2012

Russian President Putin to visit Israel, West Bank and Jordan

JERUSALEM -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will land in Israel on an official visit Monday, making Israel one of the first countries he will visit since his recent election. The last visit of a Russian leader to Israel was canceled at the last minute early last year, when Dmitry Medvedev halted his plans because of a strike of Israel's foreign ministry staff. Putin himself last visited in 2005.

Israel and Russia have a wide range of bilateral issues to discuss, including tourism and cultural and business cooperation, partly because of the country's 1-million-strong Russian-speaking community, many of whom emigrated to Israel over the last two decades. A delegation of 300 political leaders, businessmen and journalists will accompany the president.

The two nations also cooperate on matters of more strategic nature such as military technology. At the same time, Russia is an ally of Israeli enemies Iran and Syria. With Russian and Israeli interests at odds on these two nations, a delicate balance act will be required during Putin's visit.

On bilateral issues, the two countries enjoy an "ongoing honeymoon," according to an analysis by Haaretz's Barak Ravid (in Hebrew) but Russia's goings-on in the Middle East harm Israel's interests at times and unnamed foreign ministry sources told Ravid this reality is unlikely to change anytime soon.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/06/russian-president-vladimir-putin-israel-west-bank.html

5 replies

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Russian President Putin to visit Israel, West Bank and Jordan (Original Post) bemildred Jun 2012 OP

What a poorly written article oberliner Jun 2012 #1

I imagine Batsheva Sobelman is crushed by your criticism. bemildred Jun 2012 #2

I think your broader point is an important one oberliner Jun 2012 #3

Here's a better article about Putin's visit... shira Jun 2012 #4

'Russia has no problem recognizing a Palestinian state' Scurrilous Jun 2012 #5

oberliner

(58,724 posts)

1. What a poorly written article

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Mon Jun 25, 2012, 08:29 AM

Jun 2012

That last paragraph, especially, is a nightmare.

"Russia's goings-on in the Middle East harm Israel's interests at times"

There has got to be a better way to phrase that.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

2. I imagine Batsheva Sobelman is crushed by your criticism.

Reply to oberliner (Reply #1)

Mon Jun 25, 2012, 08:34 AM

Jun 2012

You have a point, not the most scintillating prose. But times are tough at the Times, I don't expect they give the staff lots of time to polish their prose.

I find the Russia/Israel connection interesting because it is so messy.

oberliner

(58,724 posts)

3. I think your broader point is an important one

Reply to bemildred (Reply #2)

Mon Jun 25, 2012, 08:48 AM

Jun 2012

And it's something that I've noticed with greater and greater frequency in recent years.

That is to say, in this internet-based news environment, you don't see articles getting the kind of polish that they used to before publication.

Not only does that lead to some in-artful prose but other more significant issues.

I would point out that this article does very little to shed any light or provide any insights about the Russia/Israel connection.

shira

(30,109 posts)

4. Here's a better article about Putin's visit...

Reply to oberliner (Reply #3)

Mon Jun 25, 2012, 09:33 AM

Jun 2012

http://www.timesofisrael.com/never-mind-israels-tough-talk-on-iran-russia-unlikely-to-change-course/

Scurrilous

(38,687 posts)

5. 'Russia has no problem recognizing a Palestinian state'

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Tue Jun 26, 2012, 12:24 PM

Jun 2012

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits West Bank, meets Palestinian counterpart; PA surprises him with Putin St. in Bethlehem

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4247632,00.html

<snip>

"Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Bethlehem Tuesday, for a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas."

<snip>

"Putin praised Abbas for what he said was the PA's "responsible" position in its negotiations with Israel, and said Russia has no problem recognizing a Palestinian state. "We did so 25 years ago and our position has not changed," he said.

Putin also offered veiled criticism of Israel, saying unilateral action "is not constructive."

While in Bethlehem, Putin inaugurated a Russian cultural and language center in the city.

Abbas surprised him by announcing that the city intends to name one of Bethlehem's streets after him. He was also awarded the Palestinian Authority's medal of honor."

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