Assignment 2

1. What are some historical ties between Israel and Russia since 1914?

• The Soviet Union was one of the first to recognize Israel in 1948.
  
• Israel and Russia are both members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
  
• Agreement of Mutual Cooperation: an Israel-Russia trade agreement.
  
• Russia (along with the European Union, the U.S., and the U.N.) has been pursuing diplomatic initiatives to help solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  
• After breaking off diplomatic relations with Israel in 1967(during the Six-Day War), Russia and Israel's relations were restored in 1991.

What are some historical ties between Israel and Iran since 1914?

• All Iranian-Israeli reations occured before the Iranian Revolution in 1978 and befor the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
  
• During the Pahlavi dynastly Iranian-Israeli relations did exist.
  
• The joint Israeli-Iranian Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline: Iran supplied Israel with oil and helped the transfer of Iranian oil to European markets.
  
• Project Flower: the Iranian-Israeli attempt to develop a new missile.
  
• Iran's president, Ahmadinejad, call for Israel to be "wiped off the map".

2. Has Israel fought any significant wars, or battles, against each other directly, indirectly, or through proxy since 1914 against Russia or Iran?

• Israel has not fought any significant wars, or battles, against Russia.
  
• Israel and Iran have not fought any war directly.
  
• Israeli-Lebanon War: In 2006, Iran indirectly fought Israel by supporting Hezbollah.
  
• The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Iran indirectly fought Israel by supporting Palestine.

3. Does Israel have any significant religious disagreements with Russia or Iran that reach back through the century?

Israel and Russia do not have many significant religious disagreements. Before the State of Israel was established in 1948, Russia hosted the largest population of Jews. At one point the Jewish community and culture flourished greatly in Russia. But the Jews also faced some hardships in the country, as Russia became somewhat anti-semitic. For this reason, in the late 1900s, many Russian Jews left Russia for Israel and the United States. But Russia still stands as home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world.

Israel and Iran have major religious disagreements. The theocratic state of Iran is completely against Israel as a state. The President of Iran's statement that the home of the Jews should be "wiped off the map" caused much tension between Israel and Iran. The Islamic state also posed many other severe threats to the State of Israel in the past which has also caused much unrest in Iranian-Israeli relations. To add to the conflict, there have been many attacks on Israel by Muslim terrorists who support Iran's hatred on Israel, and who associate themselves with the Islamic country.

4. Historically have the relationships between Israel and the two other countries (individually) been amicable hostile, or neutral?

Israel's relationship with Russia has been amicable for the most part. There were few tensions in the past, during the period after the Six-Day War. But for the majority of the time, Israel and Russia have proven to be great allies. Russia is a home to many Jews and the Russian language is very common throughout Israel.

Israel's relationship with Iran had been both amicable and hostile. Before the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and before the Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown, Israel and Iran's relations were amicable. But their relations became hostile with the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. From then until now Israel and Iran's relations continue to be hostile.

5. How do their government systems compare?

Israel is a parliamentary democracy, while Russia is a federation and Iran is a theocratic republic.

6. What major military and political treaties does your country share with Russia and Iran since The Treaty of Versailles?

Israel and Iran: none

Israel and Russia: Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty, Israel Double Taxation Prevention Treaty

7. Is Israel currently recognized by the United Nations?

Israel is currently recognized by the United Nations.

8. Does Israel share the same type of economic system as Russia or Iran?

Israel does not share the same type of economic system as Russia or Iran. Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with some, but decreasing, government participation. Iran's economy is based upon a reliance on oil which provides the majority of government revenues. And Russia's economy is a socialist command economy.