Israel
Background
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. It borders Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest, with a western coast on the Mediterranean Sea and a southern outlet to the Red Sea. Its territory includes the West Bank and the Gaza Strip of the Palestinian territories, as well as the Syrian Golan Heights. Jerusalem is the seat of government and proclaimed capital, while Tel Aviv is the largest urban area and economic centre.
In international affairs, Israel is a significant regional power whose actions and security policies are closely tracked by governments, including Russia. It has a large and technologically advanced economy, a major research and development sector, and one of the highest living standards in the Middle East. The country is also a central actor in Middle Eastern diplomacy and conflict, particularly in relation to the Palestinian territories, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and broader Arab-Israeli relations. Its military capabilities and alliances make it an important factor in discussions of regional escalation and de-escalation.
The modern state emerged from the end of British rule in Mandatory Palestine and declared independence on 14 May 1948, after which it fought a war with neighboring Arab states. Subsequent conflicts in 1949 and 1967 shaped the present territorial situation, including Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, alongside peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan and the Oslo process with the Palestinians. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved, and Israel's status over occupied territories continues to be a major subject of international dispute. In recent Russian diplomatic statements, Israel has also been referenced in connection with regional tensions involving Iran and wider efforts to prevent escalation in the Middle East.
Timeline
Russia and Oman discussed the conflict involving Iran and warned against drawing Gulf states into the escalation, which implicitly referred to the regional security situation surrounding Israel.
On the Telephone Conversation Between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman Badr bin Hamad Al-BusaidiIsrael was cited as a participant in the recent strikes on Iran that were discussed as a factor worsening Middle East tensions.
Press Release: On the Meeting Between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia G.E. Borisenko and Turkish Ambassador to Moscow T. BilgiçRussia and Turkey discussed coordinating efforts to reduce escalation following Israeli strikes on Iran.
Press Release: On the Meeting Between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia G.E. Borisenko and Turkish Ambassador to Moscow T. BilgiçIsrael was part of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran discussed by Sergey Lavrov and Abdullatif Al-Zayani.
Press Release: On the Telephone Conversation Between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Abdullatif Al-Zayani
Documents
Press Release: On the Meeting Between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia G.E. Borisenko and Turkish Ambassador to Moscow T. Bilgiç
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Borisenko met with Turkey's ambassador in Moscow to discuss Middle East tensions and coordinate efforts to reduce escalation following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Press Release: On the Telephone Conversation Between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Abdullatif Al-Zayani
Lavrov and Bahrain's FM discussed the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, jointly calling for an immediate ceasefire, negotiations, and condemning strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
On the Telephone Conversation Between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi
Lavrov and Oman's FM discussed the conflict involving Iran, urging de-escalation and warning against drawing Gulf states in, with Russia offering to help broker a diplomatic solution.