The evolution of Israel-Soviet relations in the late 1940s – early 1950s: politics and ideology

Abstract

The presented scientific article is devoted to the interesting and multifaceted topic of international relations, which, at the current historical stage, does not have unambiguous assessments in both domestic and foreign historiography. The article examines the process of evolution of interstate relations between the USSR and the State of Israel, which appeared on the political map of the world after the Second World War. Chronologically, the article covers the time period from the end of the Palestine War of 1948-1949 to the official termination of diplomatic relations between the studied countries in 1953.
The Soviet Union tried to use the change in the geopolitical situation in the Middle East as an opportunity to expand its own political influence in the region, which was especially relevant in the conditions of increasing confrontation in the «Cold War». The article focuses on tracking and analyzing the main domestic and foreign policy factors of Israel and the USSR, which led to the crisis of bilateral relations. Ideological contradictions and anti-Semitic policy in the USSR played an important role in this process.
It was established that the Israel-Soviet relations of the studied period were a complex mixture of ideological orientations, pragmatic economic and political interests, and geopolitical priorities of both countries. Historical experience has shown sharp ideological contradictions between Zionism and communism. Israel’s claims for emigration of the Jewish population from the USSR and, finally, the pro-American orientation of the Israeli leadership, has become incompatible with the normal development of bilateral relations. Beginning with mutual interest and support, Soviet-Israel relations in the late 1940s and early 1950s suffered a political fiasco.