The Israeli government prefers silence over the comments of Russian President Vladimir Putin who suspects the mastermind of US election intervention could be from among Jews. Neither the Prime Minister's Office nor the Israeli Foreign Ministry chose to make any comment. Though the US Jewish group condemned Putin's comments and considered Putin rekindling anti-Semites.
Israel Selects Not to Offend Russia
Former Israeli ambassador to Russia Zvi Magen understands Netanyahu's stance of choosing silence. That is because it is related to Israel's own security. Israel prefers to maintain good relations with the country as strong as Russia and avoid the disputes that are detrimental to Israel in the future. According to Zvi Magen, if Israel objected, Netanyahu would object to Russia in private rather than openly.
Reflecting on this Putin case, there are lessons to be learned. If the country is advanced and strong then other countries will be reluctant. Even Israel will be cautious, especially regarding sensitive political issues. Moreover, Russia has good relations with Iran who are at loggerheads with Israel.
Russia now regards the West as hypocritical because it is the European elites that help the Russians conceal their wealth.
Russia once listened when European embassies condemned corruption in Russian state-owned enterprises. But not anymore. Because Russia knows very well that European bankers, businessmen and lawyers actually do dirty work for the Russians to hide their corrupt money in the Netherlands Antilles and the Virgin Islands, England.
Since the crisis in Ukraine and the Crimea began, Russia continues to show its military strength, both on the border of Ukraine and within the Crimea region as support for the territory that just got away from Ukraine.
On the other hand, the United States and NATO countries as well as the EU openly support Ukraine by denouncing the Crimean referendum and plotting sanctions for Russia.
Not only that, although not as massive as Russia, NATO's military strength, especially member countries bordering Ukraine continues to be strengthened.
Most of the neighboring countries of Ukraine are members of NATO such as Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia. Similarly, the Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
If one of the NATO countries helped Ukraine and engaged in a war with Russia, the United States should intervene.