Some Israeli security and diplomatic experts believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin instigated the Jewish Agency crisis to pressure Israel against selling natural gas to Europe.
The crisis between Israel en Russia over the operation of the Jewish Agency, which is tasked with assisting Jews who want to emigrate to Israel, is not going anywhere. In fact, it may be escalating.
Israel continues to puzzle over the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but has been unable to come up with a clear answer, especially given his silence on the matter. As far as Israel is concerned, shuttering the Jewish Agency while some 150,000 Jews still live in Russia is almost tantamount to a declaration of war.
Source: Al Monitor