Israel breaks ranks on Kosovo
21/02/2008
by Anshel Pfeffer Moscow
Israel will not be recognising Kosovo’s independence in the next few weeks, out of concern for the implications that recognition might have both on negotiations with the Palestinians and relations with Russia.
Israel’s main Western allies — the United States, Britain, France and Germany — all rushed to accept Kosovo’s independence following the announcement by the Kosovar government on Sunday. But Israel is being reticent, despite Foreign Ministry officials and politicians privately voicing a general sympathy towards the Kosovar cause.
One of the main reasons is that Israel is anxious not to encourage a precedent whereby the populations of disputed regions act unilaterally in such a fashion.
On Wednesday, Yasser Abed Rabbo, senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, told Reuters that if the current negotiations “wouldn’t proceed towards ending settlement-building and a serious and continuing negotiation, we will have to take the step and declare independence unilaterally”.
Mr Rabbo cited Kosovo’s example and said, “Kosovo is not better than us. We are worthy of independence before them and we ask for backing from the United States and European Union.”
The idea of a unilateral declaration has been raised before within the Palestinian leadership and turned down on the grounds that it would be meaningless and only harm negotiations.
Still, Israel is wary of the precedent and, like other countries dealing with minorities in disputed regions, such as Spain with the Basques, is not rushing to recognise Kosovo. A larger concern is the future of Israel’s relations with Russia, whose leadership is adamantly opposed to Kosovar independence.
“While relations between Israel and Russia have never been better,” an Israeli diplomat who deals with the issue told the JC, “these relations are still fragile, especially at a time like this, two weeks before the presidential elections in Russia. This could be the worst time to rock the boat.”
Israel sees Russia as the crucial link in any sanctions regime against Iran’s nuclear programme. It assiduously cultivated a relationship with outgoing President Vladimir Putin. Despite ongoing ties between Mr Putin and the Iran, and the supplies of nuclear fuel, no official Israeli spokesperson has criticised Mr Putin or his government.
An additional concern is the welfare of the Russian community. Despite still high levels of antisemitism, Israeli diplomats and local leaders have praised Mr Putin for fighting antisemitism.
Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Putin’s handpicked successor expected to win elections next month, is also thought to be close to the community, and visited the headquarters of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Moscow three days before announcing his candidacy.
Some of nationalist parties are claiming that Mr Medvedev is Jewish and disloyal to the Russian people. “This is the worst possible time to draw attention with a new dispute,” said a senior figure in the community in Moscow, “both for Israel and for Russian Jews.”
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