International terrorism represents a common threat to both Israel and Russia.

"Terrorism is a clear threat to civilization," emphasized representatives of the Israeli Knesset during meetings with Andrey Klimov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Nikolay Gonchar, Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. In discussions with their Russian counterparts, they expressed deep concern regarding the growing global threat of Islamist extremism.

From December 13 to 15, a prominent delegation from the State of Israel is visiting Moscow. The delegation includes distinguished public figures specializing in counter-terrorism: David Bitan, member of the 20th Knesset from the Likud party; Ariel Bulshtein, attorney and head of the EAJC Public Diplomacy Project; Tzuri Siso, Director-General of the Likud party; Albert Sakharovich, Director-General of the Knesset; and Kobi Tsoref, member of the Board of Directors of the World Jewish Congress. The visit was organized by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC). Earlier this year, the EAJC successfully launched the "Public Diplomacy" project, aimed at identifying common ground with nations facing security challenges, particularly in the realm of national security. For instance, in May, facilitated by the EAJC, a Russian delegation headed by Igor Barinov, Director of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs, visited Israel.

As Ariel Bulshtein, head of the EAJC "Public Diplomacy" project, noted: "This visit is of paramount importance as a means of strengthening constructive relations between Russia and Israel. The primary threat to stability in the Middle East is the terrorist threat posed by destructive entities bent on destroying Israel at any cost. During this visit, we are highlighting the current challenges confronting Israel. We call upon Russia to take an active and morally consistent stance: not merely to express sympathy for Israel's counter-terrorism efforts, but to unequivocally condemn, including within international organizations, all manifestations of terrorism, specifically by terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. We urge Russia to support resolutions condemning these terrorist entities and to oppose anti-Israeli, overtly counterproductive resolutions."

Discussions concerning the most complex aspects of Russian-Israeli cooperation, amid the escalating situation in the Middle East, took place behind closed doors. These talks featured an honest and candid exchange of views, culminating in a shared understanding of common objectives and the necessity of halting the rise of international terrorism.

The recent terrorist attacks in Israel and France lent a somber urgency to the meetings, serving as another reminder of the critical need for joint international efforts to combat terrorism as well as religious and ethnic extremism.

The visit to Russia concluded with a meeting between the Knesset members and representatives of the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council.

The parliamentary dialogue between the two nations is scheduled to continue next week, during an upcoming visit of Russian parliamentarians to Israel.

The EAJC intends to continue facilitating delegation visits to Israel in the future.

Under the auspices of the "Public Diplomacy" project, Israeli speakers and lecturers visit countries across the Euro-Asian region to present the perspectives of the Jewish State to leading political, academic, media, and business representatives. Another vital area of activity involves inviting delegations from the Euro-Asian region to Israel, allowing them to examine the situation on the ground firsthand, without intermediaries, and to assess the state's care for its citizens.