Russia reportedly rejects Israel’s request to postpone UN debate on Middle East conflict

Russia, one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), has reportedly rejected the Jewish state’s request to postpone a scheduled debate on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The debate is currently set to take place on Tuesday, April 25, which coincides with Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan reportedly contacted Russian UN officials, as Moscow currently holds the presidency of the UNSC.

Erdan conveyed to Russia that it would be inappropriate to hold a debate on “The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question” on the same day the Jewish state honors the thousands of Israeli soldiers who fell in battle in defending Israel’s existence.

Russia may have denied Israel’s request to reschedule the meeting because of the Jewish nation’s increasing affinity with Western powers who have been increasing their condemnation of Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Unlike most other democracies, Israel has been reluctant to openly side with Ukraine against the Russian aggression. While sympathizing with the Ukrainian people, Israel has insisted on maintaining stable ties with Russia, which controls the skies above Syria.

The Israeli Air Force has conducted hundreds of aerial attacks against Iranian military targets across Syria and beyond in an effort to prevent Iran from establishing a military front on Israel’s northern borders.

Unintentional military confrontations between Israeli and Russian forces in Syria have so far been avoided due to tight security coordination between Moscow and Jerusalem.

In addition, Israel and the Western world are increasingly concerned about the growing military ties between Russia and Iran. In early February 2023, the Wall Street Journal reported that Russia and Iran were planning to build a drone factory in Russia.