Main factors influencing Russia’s foreign policy toward lsrael are as follows:Russia’s Southward Advance Strategy initiated by Peter the Great;the population policy or the migration of Russian Jews to Israel;the change of internal policy in Russia;the economic interests;the diplomatic space available for Russia to choose;and lsrael’s policy orientation.Russia’s policy toward Israel has witnessed four phases:1.From May 1947 to February 1953:the `honeymoon period′,then the first breaking off of diplomatic relations;2.From March 1953 to June 1967:restoration of diplomatic relations followed by cold shouldering to each other and the second suspension of relations;3.From June 1967 to October 1991:unofficial contacts followed by restoration of diplomatic ties again;4.From October 1991 up to the present:Russia’s return to the Middle East.Just like Russia’s internal affairs,future Russia-Israel relations will be full of variables and uncertainty.They are going to undergo changes together with the change in Russia’s internal affairs and the general international situation.
