Expert: Russia is not a friend of Israel ('Izrus', Israel)
Professor Anna Geifman, an expert on political terrorism in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, believes that Israel can cooperate with Russia, but not be friends. Too different mentality, too many from Moscow "friends" who dream of destroying both Israel and Russia itself.Professor Anna Geifman is a historian of world renown, an expert on political terrorism in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. After many years of working at Boston University, she repatriated to Israel in 2007 and teaches at Bar-Ilan University today. In a conversation with the IzRus portal, she expressed her own, unpopular these days, vision of Russian-Israeli cooperation in the fight against terror.
Professor Geifman, the latest BBC poll showed that Russia is the country with the least “street” negative attitude towards Israel. What is the reason for this?
You know, studying Russian historyI understand that nothing changes there. I do not think that (ordinary Russians - ed.) Know what Israel is, they don't give a damn about Israel. They know America, they hate it, and their hatred is easy to control. In Soviet times, they were told to hate Israel - they all hated him in unison, now there are no such instructions, so the attitude is normal.
After the terrorist attack in Domodedovo, there are more and more calls to unite the forces of the two countries in the fight against terror. Is this cooperation possible?
The Russian approach to the fight against terror is not similar to the Israeli one. Not at all like. Remember the tragedy in Beslan, the tragedy in the theater on Dubrovka. Attitudes toward man are different, attitudes toward human life in general. Their approach - several hundred people more or less, the main thing - the problem must be solved. A good example is the attitude towards children and animals, as an indicator of the attitude towards the weak and defenseless. For the average Russian, in particular - among the former residents of the USSR who came to Israel, drowning a puppy or a kitten is a trifling matter. This is unthinkable for an Israelite, but easier for a Russian. From here, draw your own conclusions ...
That is, do you think that this is a barrier of "mentality"?
I do not think that they can be trusted, but if our leaders believe that cooperation with Russia is beneficial for Israel today, then I’m only in favor. However, it is not necessary to build illusions, it is not necessary to call Russia a friend, it is also successfully “friendly” with Iran, whose leaders dream to burn us. We have common affairs, we can cooperate, but do not shout about "friendship." So I look with pessimism at the possibility of cooperation between Israel and Russia.
Why?
Everyone knows that Iran sponsors terrorism almost all over the world, including in Russia, supporting Chechen extremists. But at the same time, Russia sells weapon Iran How to explain it? After all, if the elite thinks that it will not touch her, she is very mistaken. It will affect everyone, terror is illegible. Does the elite, which sell weapons to terrorists, really think that it is possible to insure themselves against explosions and terrorist attacks? After all, the children or grandchildren of these people go to schools, friends - to the shops, everyone has mothers, wives, and relatives. Terror can strike at them.
REFERENCE IzRus
Professor Anna Geifman was born in 1962 in Leningrad to a Jewish family. In 1976, she emigrated with her family to the USA. In 1985, she graduated from Boston University and received a master's degree. She continued her education at Harvard University, where she defended her PhD degree in history in 1990. Professor at Boston University.
Geifman's historical works are devoted to political terrorism in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century.
Since 2007, he lives in Israel. Works at Bar-Ilan University,
Parallel continues to teach at Boston University.
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