Russia’s new ambassador to Israel said he would aim to promote
high-tech cooperation and increase Russian tourism to
Israel. Igor Stegniy made these comments at a March 7 meeting with Berel Lazar,
one of Russia’s two chief rabbis, at a Moscow Jewish community center. Lazar called on Israel to develop a stronger partnership with Russia, whose
leverage in the Arab world could benefit the Jewish state.”Russia has influence in the Arab world,” Interfax quoted Lazar as saying.
“And Israel should be taking the assistance that Russia may give in promoting a
dialogue in the Middle East into account.”
Lazar and Stegniy agreed that increased Arab-Israeli business contacts,
facilitated by Russian mediation, could be an effective tool in easing the
regional political crises, including the nuclear standoff with Iran.
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