The departure of Russia from Syria could strengthen the relationship between Ukraine and Israel, according to an analyst who cautions that the move offers little to Jerusalem.

The collapse of the Assad regime and Russia's declining influence in Syria have opened up a possibility for a rapprochement between Israel and Ukraine.

"Yuli Edelstein, chair of Israel's Foreign Affairs and Defense Community and a Likud party member, stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that Israel should increase its support for Ukraine as the situation has changed and it's time for Israel to take action."

Edelstein, a prominent figure in Israel's defense and foreign policy discussions, stated, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." He further added, "There is a strategic alliance between the Russians and the Iranians. While previously it was Russia supporting Iran, now it is crucial to recognize that the power dynamics have shifted."

"Edelstein emphasized the significance of Iranian weapons, particularly missiles and drones, for the Russians. As a result, Israel could have taken a more straightforward position in supporting Ukraine."

Israel has consistently maintained a cautious approach to its ties with Russia and Ukraine, despite strong public support for Ukraine. This is due to the complex relationship between Israel and Moscow, which has made it necessary for Israel to navigate a delicate balance. For example, Israel has had to manage airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias and weapons convoys along the axis from Iran via Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon, all while avoiding provoking Russia, which controls key areas of Syrian airspace.

The Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, has stated that Israel's cautious stance toward Ukraine can no longer be justified. Korniychuk, who has been advocating for closer military cooperation and requesting military assistance from Israel, emphasized the need for a shift in policy. While Israel insists on providing only humanitarian and defensive aid, refraining from sending high-tech weaponry, Korniychuk believes that a change in policy is necessary.

"Russia's support for Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as its ties with Iran, demonstrate that it is not a neutral player in Israel's affairs. With Russia's role in Syria decreasing, Israel now has an opportunity to work more closely with Ukraine."

Both Ukraine and Israel are facing the same threat from Iranian drones. Israel possesses the expertise in air defense that Ukraine needs, while Ukraine has the experience in defending itself against these drones.

Edelstein stated, "I am not advocating for a war with Russia. However, when it comes to working with the Ukrainians, Israel's interest lies in close cooperation, particularly in defense-related matters, especially concerning missiles and drones. As an example, recent events have shown how Iranian drones were able to breach Israel's airspace, despite the country's advanced defense systems like Iron Dome and Arrow."

If we had entered the defense field two years ago, we could have been better prepared to face the threat of a drone strike at an Israeli base.

An Israeli security official informed Planet Chronicle Digital that Israel is developing technology to counter Iranian drones, but it takes time. The Iron Dome is essential for air defense, but it was not designed to handle mass drone attacks, which both Israel and Ukraine are facing. Israel's systems are effective against rockets, but drones pose a different challenge. Ukraine has become a testing ground for real combat conditions, and Israel missed the opportunity to take advantage of that.

Although Israel's political rhetoric is cautious, the collaboration between Israel and Ukraine's intelligence communities has been successful. An Israeli government official stated, "The intelligence cooperation between Ukraine and Israel has been more advanced than our political relations." A Ukrainian official also confirmed, "The intelligence communities in Ukraine and Israel have a close and productive relationship, and I hope that Israel will now agree to sell Ukraine technologies and equipment to aid in the war against Russia."

Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military intelligence analyst and author of "Putin's Playbook," advised that Israel's primary concern should be its regional security, particularly in relation to Iran, and that the collapse of Assad's regime and the weakening of Russia's influence in Syria have not altered that. According to Koffler, strategically, Israel has more to gain by remaining neutral with Russia, as Russia still holds significant leverage in the Middle East.

"Israel benefits from a stable relationship with Russia, particularly in managing the Iranian threat and maintaining influence with key regional actors, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey, where Putin has leverage. In contrast, Ukraine offers little to Israel, as it is highly dependent on Western support and Israel does not derive significant benefits from this relationship."

Daniel Vajdich, a Republican foreign policy expert and president of Yorktown Solutions, which advises Ukrainian state entities, stated that Israel is now in a stronger position to support Ukraine due to the changing security landscape. "Israel’s strategic focus has always been on its own security, especially after 14 months of multifront war. But now, there is certainly room for more support for Ukraine," Vajdich explained. "Israel’s defense capabilities, especially in air defense, are exceptional, and Ukraine could benefit significantly from that expertise."

Vajdich noted that a changing geopolitical environment could give Israel more freedom to support Ukraine without facing significant external pressure. He said, "The Trump administration is unlikely to pressure Israel to increase its support for Ukraine, unlike the Biden administration. However, if the U.S. provides more support to Israel under a future Trump administration, Israel may feel more secure in providing additional help to Ukraine. While Israel will continue to prioritize its security, the potential for collaboration with Ukraine is expanding."

"Ukraine's ambassador to Israel stated that the Israelis had always considered Russia as their neighbor to the north, which necessitated caution to avoid jeopardizing their relationship. However, with Russia's departure, the excuse for being cautious no longer exists. Therefore, Ukraine hopes that Israel will reconsider its refusal to provide defensive weapons and technology to Ukraine."