The imposing Vladimir Putin's visit to Israel

Israeli efforts to obtain Russian support against the Iranian nuclear program did not get a clear answer to Vladimir Putin . He arrived in Israel for a two-day visit at the head of a delegation of 300 people, the Russian president spoke at length with Netanyahu on this subject, but merely to wish that "the issue be resolved peacefully the good of all parties. " Putin also spoke of the need to resume negotiations with the Palestinians, stalled since 2010. The Russian president will meet Tuesday with Palestinian President.

Counterbalance U.S. dominance

Officially dedicated at the opening in the seaside resort of Netanya a memorial to soldiers of the Red Army fell against Nazi Germany during World War II, a huge pair of wings cement overlooking the sea, and that of a Russian cultural center in Bethlehem, Putin's visit is primarily to mark the return of Russia on the diplomatic scene in the Middle East. After years of eclipse that followed the collapse of the USSR, Russia intends to become a leading player in the region, and counterbalance U.S. domination, unchallenged since the end of the Cold War. The Israelis, who had several areas of dispute with the Russians, do everything to ensure the good intentions of Moscow, whose influence is paramount in the Iranian and Syrian issues. Moscow is a key intermediate in the difficult negotiations to convince Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment program. The Russian veto in the Security Council of the UN is an indispensable partner of Moscow in the vote of international sanctions, but not always easy to convince. The Russians demanded and received several times the limitation of some of these sanctions.

Russian fuel for power plants Israeli

Moscow also provided in Tehran to Bushehr nuclear power plant, which opposed Israel program. Entry into service in 2011 and operated with Russian fuel, this plant should be operated for several years by Russian engineers before passing under control of Iran. Russia has frozen the other hand a contract to supply its air defense system S-300 in Tehran, thereby complying with international sanctions. The prospect of Iran with the sophisticated weapons had long been a concern for Israel , which does not exclude the use of air strikes if diplomacy fails. The Syrian dossier was added to that of Iran. Russia has so far blocked a vote by the Security Council to several international resolutions condemning the regime of Bashar al-Assad, and continues to supply weapons to Syria.The S-300 denied Iran was delivered to Damascus, and Russian ships regularly land military equipment in the Syrian port of Tartus.

Case worrisome

Israel has recently condemned the repression of the Syrian regime, and now seems to wish his fall, which would deprive Hezbollah of its rear base Syrian and Iran an important ally in the region. But the prospect of sophisticated weapons systems fall into the hands of Hezbollah or other armed groups remains a hypothesis concern for Israel, which makes absolute air superiority one of its key regional security. In the "Russian Compound" in Jerusalem, the Russian flags floated again on the palate Sergei. This former hospice for the Russian nobility, built in the nineteenth century by the Grand Duke Sergei, the Tsar's brother, is about to be returned to Russia. Decided in 2008 by the Olmert government, the restitution is seen as a goodwill gesture from Israel to President Putin.