The Jewish Chronicle
On this day: The Soviet Union cuts ties with Israel
February 11 1953: Caught in a Cold War
February 11, 2011 08:00
By, Jennifer Lipman
1 min read
February 11 1953: Caught in a Cold War
February 11, 2011 08:00By, Jennifer Lipman
In 1947, The Soviet Union was one of 33 countries to vote in favour of the United Nation’s partition plan for Palestine. Almost immediately after Israel declared its independence on May 14 1948, the Soviet Union offered recognition, along with the United States and other Western powers.
It was not to last. The Soviet Union, as would almost all of its satellites, cut ties with Israel less than five years later.
For the next 35 years, the Soviets pursued largely pro-Arab policies and Israel was a pawn in a much wider game between the US and USSR.
The Soviets helped train and arm the Arab regimes. In all conflicts with the Arab world, from the Six Day War to the Yom Kippur War and everything else, where the US and USSR got involved the focus was on keeping the balance of power in the Middle East.
