The Release of Classified Diplomatic Documents Concerning Soviet-Israeli Relations

The selection and publication of declassified diplomatic documents concerning Soviet-Israeli relations is a distinct collaborative project between Russia and Israel, carried out with the support of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.

The volume, which covers the period from 1945 to 1967, is scheduled for publication in 2021. This will constitute the second installment of the collection; the first volume was published in 2000 and spanned the years 1941 to 1953. This second volume represents the most extensive compilation of bilateral relations documents to date, featuring over 700 encrypted telegrams.

The Israeli editorial team is led by Boris Morozov, a researcher at Tel Aviv University. According to Morozov, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has for the first time declassified more than 800 encrypted telegrams, while the Israeli side has declassified documents from Nativ and the Bar Commission.

The project will publish documents pertaining to the Suez Crisis, the Six-Day War, Israeli efforts regarding the emigration of Soviet Jews, and the emergence of the corresponding mass movement in the West.

As the project participants observe, the period from 1945 to 1967 was exceptionally difficult for both nations; the publication of these materials aims to foster and strengthen bilateral cooperation in all spheres.