Israeli president urges to remain calm regarding Jewish Agency dispute with Russia

Israeli President Isaac Herzog indicated Tuesday that his country was trying to keep a low profile in the growing dispute with Moscow over Russia’s moves toward limiting the operations of the Jewish Agency in the country amid reports that both countries were trying to lower tensions, Report informs via the Times of Israel.

Speaking at a conference held by Israel’s Channel 13 news, Herzog, who headed the Jewish Agency between 2018 and 2021, said that while the issue was “close to his heart,” he considered it better to keep public mentions of it to the minimum.

“I have been fully cooperating with Prime Minister Yair Lapid… I will assist wherever I can,” said Herzog, who met with Lapid on Monday evening.

“Some things are better left unsaid,” the president said.

“I believe that the less we speak about it, the better we’ll be. It will allow proper treatment of the issue,” he added.

Herzog continued: “Russia is an important country. There could be numerous different scenarios and explanations to why and how this happened… Let’s let the issue play out. The less we talk about it and the more we do, the better.”

Despite his largely ceremonial role, the current government has repeatedly made use of Herzog’s diplomacy skills.

Amid the growing concern in Israel over Russia’s move to close the organization’s offices in the country and the geopolitical implications that could pose, the Ynet news site reported that both sides were trying to reduce tensions.

Moscow reassured Jerusalem on Monday evening that the issue was solely legal and did indicate in any way a deterioration in relations between the countries, the report said.

In turn, Israel has reassured Russia’s Jewish community that the issue was being handled and that there was no reason for concern, Ynet said.

The apparent step back came after Lapid warned Sunday that the issue could negatively affect ties between the two countries.