As West ups sanctions on Russia's oligarchs, many maintain Israeli citizenship
Dozens of Russian oligarchs have obtained Israeli citizenship in recent years due to their Jewish heritage. Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could affect Israel’s relationships with the billionaires as well as its technology sector.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid told reporters in Romania Monday that “Israel will not be a route to bypass sanctions imposed on Russia.” The diplomat specifically mentioned sanctions by the United States and other Western countries on Russian entities in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Israel’s financial, aviation and energy authorities are currently coordinating on the issue, according to Lapid.
Israel itself has refrained from imposing its own sanctions. This is partly out of a desire to maintain friendly relations with Russia, which has a major military presence in neighboring Syria. Israel also may lack the legal framework to impose sanctions, Rina Bassist wrote for Al-Monitor. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has also been negotiating an end to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Israeli cooperation with the Russia sanctions could have significant economic effects on both countries. Several of the top Russian oligarchs are Jewish and have taken Israeli citizenship under Israel’s Law of Return. The Associated Press reported in 2018 that 30 to 40 Russian oligarchs have obtained Israeli citizenship. Some of these business people have been sanctioned since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
While it is unclear that Israel will take any direct action against Russian oligarchs with Israeli citizenship, here are some who could be impacted if they do:
