Tomorrow, the traditional Victory Parade marking the victory over Nazi Germany will take place in Moscow. In a decision sparking public controversy, the Israeli government has chosen to send Israel's ambassador to Russia, Simona Halperin, to participate in the parade despite protests and calls to cancel the participation. The decision takes a particularly troubling turn in light of growing security threats and the fact that Russia continues to support Hamas while Israel is at war.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein confirmed to "Maakav" that "there is no change from previous years, and as in all recent years, Israel will be represented at the parade by Israel's ambassador to Russia, Simona Halperin. Six veterans and Holocaust survivors from Israel will join her". This comes as Ukrainian reports indicate intentions to carry out military operations against the Victory Parade, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that he cannot guarantee the safety of ambassadors and foreign delegations participating in the parade.
"We Forgave and Forgot" – Israel Facing Hamas Supporters
The decision to send Israel's ambassador to the Moscow parade is drawing sharp criticism from security and political figures in Israel. Senior officials in the defense establishment describe the move as "shocking" and inconceivable given that the Russian government continues to support Hamas and other terrorist organizations operating against Israel.
This is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7, after Israel shouted "We will not forget and not forgive" – and now, less than a year after the massacre, has chosen to send an official delegation to sit alongside representatives of a country actively supporting the organization that carried out the massacre.
Not only does Russia provide diplomatic patronage to Hamas and host its representatives in Moscow, it also provides military equipment and economic support to Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah and Hamas. Diplomatic sources point out that Russian-made weapons were used by Hamas in the October 7 attack.
The Tangible Security Threat
Security threats in the Moscow area have increased in recent days. Yesterday, the Russian capital was attacked in response to Russian attacks on Ukraine, and Ukrainian intelligence signaled that on May 9, additional military actions may be carried out against the parade in which foreign delegations are expected to participate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared last week that "he cannot guarantee the safety of ambassadors and foreign delegations participating in the Victory Parade in Moscow". According to him, "Ukraine continues to hit Russian military targets, and on May 9, there are expected to be many military targets in Moscow as part of the Victory Parade".
The paradox gains additional weight when understanding that Israel is willing to risk the security of the Israeli ambassador and delegation, including six Holocaust survivors, just to participate in a propaganda event of a country supporting its sworn enemies.
Russia and Harm to Jews
Data from recent years indicates ongoing Russian harm to Jews, especially in Ukraine. According to data from the Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine, since the beginning of the war in February 2022, at least 70 Jews have been killed and about 400 injured. About 50,000 Jews have been forced to flee their homes, about 150 Jewish families have lost their roof, and 27 out of 180 Jewish communities in the country were under Russian occupation.
In March 2022, in Kharkiv, a Jewish school near the Chobotarska Synagogue was hit by a Russian rocket. In January 2023, in Odessa, a historic synagogue was damaged by a Russian missile strike, which drew condemnation from Israeli politicians and rabbis.
Particularly shocking are the stories of Holocaust survivors who fell victim to the Russia-Ukraine war:
Boris Romanchenko, 96, a survivor of four Nazi concentration camps, was killed on March 18, 2022, as a result of Russian shelling on his home in Kharkiv. The Ukrainian foreign minister then responded: "Survived Hitler – killed by Putin".
Vanda Semyonovna Obedkova, 91, who survived the massacre of Mariupol Jews in 1941, died in April 2022 in the basement where she was hiding from Russian shelling, cut off from water and heat.
Contradictions and Hypocrisy in Israeli Policy
Examining the previous statements of senior Foreign Ministry officials, led by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and his deputy Sharon Haskel, reveals a glaring contradiction between their declared positions in the past and their current decision.
Gideon Sa'ar, who in October 2016 defined Russia as having an "anti-Israel line" and in September 2018 pointed to cooperation between Russia and Iran in Syria, is now leading a policy that legitimizes the Russian government that supports Israel's enemies.
Sharren Haskel, who consistently condemned totalitarian regimes and Russia in particular, and even declared in June 2024 that "Iran, Russia, China and North Korea have joint military exercises, there is no doubt that the crocodile will not spare the feeding hand", is now silent in the face of the Foreign Ministry's decision to send a delegation to a Russian propaganda event.
Attempts to Get a Response
As part of preparing this article, we contacted the Foreign Ministry, Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and his deputy Sharon Haskel to get a response on the issue. In a detailed inquiry, the arguments against Israel's participation in the parade were presented, including:
- Russia legitimizes Hamas and has hosted its delegations in Moscow since the October 7 attack
- Russia provides military and political support to Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran
- The Russian government refuses to recognize Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations
- Russia unilaterally declared recognition of a Palestinian state and opened a Palestinian embassy in Moscow
- Russian-made weapons were used by Hamas in the murder of Israeli citizens
- After the October 7 attack, Russia did not condemn Hamas's actions and even justified them
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar did not respond at all to the inquiry. The office of Deputy Foreign Minister Sharon Haskel conducted a prolonged evasion campaign, which included mutual referrals between spokespersons and bureaus, and ultimately did not provide any substantive response. The Foreign Ministry spokesman was content with the technical confirmation that Israel would participate in the parade.
The Historical and Value Significance
The Israeli government's decision raises serious questions about the value price the state is willing to pay. While Israel is working to commemorate the memory of those murdered on October 7 and asking the world to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization, it sends its official representative to join supporters of that organization.
It is understood that there is no disrespect for the importance of May 9 as Victory Day over the Nazis – a day of paramount historical importance, especially for Holocaust survivors and their descendants. However, the current move appears to be an affront to the basic values upon which the State of Israel was established.
Ukrainian Jews have made an enormous contribution to Jewish heritage and the State of Israel, including famous figures such as Golda Meir (born in Kyiv), the Baal Shem Tov (founder of the Hasidic movement), Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (founder of Chabad Hasidism), and writer Sholem Aleichem. Many wonder how a country established to protect Jews turns its back on Ukrainian Jews.
Towards May 9
In a few days, on May 9, the spotlight will be on Moscow. Israel's ambassador, Simona Halperin, and the six Holocaust survivors who will accompany her, will be among those present at the parade. At the same time, Israel will continue to fight terrorist organizations supported by that same Russia whose president they will honor with their presence.
In the seven months since the massacre, Israel has repeatedly called "We will not forget and not forgive". But as the participation in the May 9 parade indicates, it seems that very quickly "we forgave and forgot".
