| Abstrakt: |
For years, Vladimir Putin worked hard to demonstrate his philosemitic credentials. He cultivated Jewish communities at home and boosted diplomatic and economic ties between Russia and Israel, including implementing visa-free travel for citizens of both. In 2003, then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon referred to Putin as a "true friend of Israel," and Putin has described Israel (home to at least 1 million Russian-speaking emigrants from the former Soviet Union) as part of "the Russian world." In April 2017, Russia even recognized West Jerusalem as Israel's capital. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
