Why was the Sovjet-Union helping Al Saiqa to stop emigration to Israel?

by Geoffri12

Hello,

I read today,in a Dutch magazine about history (Historisch Nieuwsblad, December 2015), a article about Palestinian terrorism in the seventies. It said that the Sovjet-Union helped terrorist organisation Al Saiqa with training their men in camps near Moscow. And the Eagles of Palestinian Revolution, part of Al Saiqa, did some attacks in Western Europe. One of the reasons for the attacks was to stop the Russian jewish emigration to Israel. My question is why the Sovjet-Union didn't want their Jews to Israel?

Slarotimov

Russia was a bit sucked into this conflict. At first Russia was actually quite pro-Israel, not strange because Israel had a clear leftwing government in that time, but over the years alliances changed. Russia was forced to protect 'third' and 'second' world players such as Egypt and Syria against Western (in this region for a long time mainly British and American ofc) interest. They needed these alliances more then they needed an alliance with Israel at this time (it actually is a bit more complex but I would like to suggest diplomatic history of the Middle East in the Cold War Era if you are interested).

This part is important to know because it explains why Russia supported certain countries and groups such as the Palestinians. The reason why the Russians did not want a big emigration to Israel is part of this answer:

  • It would strengthen Israel and Western interests
  • To not undermine relationships with their allies in this region
  • It would make the image of the Soviet Union look bad (why would anyone want to leave the Soviet Union for another country)

This third reason cannot be underestimated because it also happened in the DDR among others as you probably know.

Veel plezier met het Historisch Nieuwsblad in ieder geval :) :).