- December 24, 2024
- 10:01 pm
- Israel
Ethical dilemmas. TOHow can you actively promote tourism for the citizens of a country whose soldiers kill Ukrainians, including Jews, bomb cities and destroy historical monuments?
Let us first recall that 12,340 civilians only killed by Putin's Russia in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion – UN. 60-70% weaponsfound during an operation near Hezbollah, was made in Russia and delivered by the Russian Federation. Putin said that the Ukrainian authorities behind the “persecution of the church” – “they are all – ethnic Jews“
A strategic defense treaty between Iran and Russia will be signed in the near future (information available on January 20). This treaty permanently binds the Iranian army (like a similar treaty with North Korea) to Russia, giving Iran unlimited access to purchase Russian weapons and fighter jets.
Ambassador of Israel to Russia Simona Halperin (read “government of Israel”) stated at a press conference in Moscow that “I would like to return Russian tourists to the country in 2025, including to the resort of Eilat on the Red Sea”. He writes about this Interfax December 23, 2024.
To this end, the resort delegation located in Moscow has already held meetings with Redwings and Azimut airlines and Russian tour operators who are interested in resuming flights to the new Eilat Ramon Airport.
“In Israel there is a saying “Next year in Jerusalem”. I'll rephrase this proverb and say that next year – I don't mean in a year, I mean literally in a couple of months“We want to see the return of thousands of Russian tourists to Israel,” the ambassador said.
While the civilized world condemns Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, and the international community imposes sanctions, the Israeli government demonstrates a strange position, seeking to return Russian tourists to Eilat and other resort cities of the country.
This decision raises questions both among Israelis and in international circles.
Return of Russian tourists: what did the Israeli ambassador say?
Simone Halperin said she plans to resume tourist flows from Russia. In particular, she emphasized that:
- Eilat has been fully restored after the crisis and is ready to receive guests.
- There are more than 11.5 thousand hotel rooms in the city, in which “Russian speakers are everywhere.”
- The Israeli delegation is already negotiating with Russian airlines and tour operators to organize flights to Eilat airport.
Halperin literally paraphrased a famous Jewish proverb, saying:
“Next year – not in Jerusalem, but in Eilat. And not in a year, but in a couple of months, we want to see thousands of Russian tourists.”
The desire for a “return” in the midst of war
Israel is a country that has repeatedly declared its commitment to humanism and the fight against aggression. However, the desire to attract Russian tourists causes cognitive dissonance. After all, in three years of full-scale war:
- According to the UN, deaths 12,340 civilian citizens of Ukrainemore injured 27,836 people.
- Millions of Ukrainian Jews and representatives of other nations became victims of Russian aggression.
These data, presented by UN Deputy Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu at a meeting of the Security Council, clearly illustrate the scale of the tragedy.
Moral aspect: is it possible to invite tourists from an aggressor country?
Many questions arise, the key ones being:
- Ethical dilemmas. How can tourism be actively promoted for the citizens of a country whose soldiers kill Ukrainians, including Jews, bomb cities and destroy historical monuments?
- Security threats. Among the returning tourists there may be those who participated in hostilities on the side of Russia. How does Israel plan to ensure the safety of its citizens?
- Political contradiction. Russia continues to support organizations hostile to Israel, such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel is destroying arms supplies from Russia through Syria, but at the same time inviting tourists from the same aggressor country.
Russian threat to Israel and the world
Against the backdrop of the ambassador’s statements, it is necessary to recall that Russia:
- It supplied weapons to Hezbollah terrorists through the Syrian port of Tartus.
- Openly supports states hostile to Israel, including Iran.
- Votes against Israeli interests at the UN, systematically blocking initiatives related to the Jewish state.
It is important to note that Russian weapons supplied to Lebanon and Syria were regularly used against Israel.
Anti-Semitism in Russia: a new level
Another factor that should cause concern is the rise of anti-Semitism in Russia. The former chief rabbi of Moscow, Pinchas Goldschmidt, stated:
“Putin’s rhetoric already resembles Stalin’s level of anti-Semitism.”
The Russian president has repeatedly made anti-Semitic statements. He recently accused Jews of “destabilizing the Moscow Church in Ukraine.”
Controversies in Israeli politics
On the one hand, Israel expresses support for humanitarian initiatives and seeks to strengthen ties with the civilized world. On the other side, The Israeli government seems ready to turn a blind eye to Russia's crimes in order to return the tourist flow.
For the Jewish and Ukrainian diasporas, this looks like a betrayal. Amid global condemnation of Russian aggression, Israel's actions could undermine its reputation among its allies and strike at the moral principles that underlie the state.
Table: Position of Russia and Israel in the conflict
| Factor | Russia | Israel |
|---|---|---|
| Politics at the UN | Votes against Israeli interests | Takes a neutral position towards the Russian Federation |
| Support for terrorists | Supplies Hezbollah with weapons | Destroys arms shipments through Syria |
| Attitude towards Jews | Rise of anti-Semitism | Declares humanitarian support for Jewish communities in Ukraine |
| Tourism | Tourists potentially linked to military activities | Opens doors for Russian tourists |
Conclusion: when business interests are more important than morals
Israel's decision to invite tourists from Russia is not just a controversial step, but also a serious blow to the country's reputation.
The question that remains unanswered: Is the Israeli government ready to justify such actions to the people who suffered from the war and to the international community?
NAnews – Israel News will continue to monitor this situation. Subscribe to our website to keep abreast of all events.
Leave a comment on WhatsApp – channel NAnews ↓ — Israel News
Leave a comment on Telegram – channel NAnews ↓ — Israel News
