On May 9, 2024, Russia’s annual Victory Day parade commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany became an unlikely stage for a subtle diplomatic realignment in the Middle East. In a move that drew attention from international diplomats and media alike, Russian authorities decided not to invite Iran—a longtime military and political partner—to attend the event, while extending an official invitation to Israel, which accepted and sent its ambassador to the ceremony.
This diplomatic gesture comes amid a period of heightened instability in the Middle East, much of it driven by the ongoing war between Israel and Iranian-backed terror groups. Iran’s extensive support for proxies such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and affiliated militias across Syria and Iraq has made it the principal architect of escalating violence against Israel on multiple fronts. Russia’s relationship with Iran has deepened in recent years, particularly as Moscow has leaned on Iranian support during its war in Ukraine—most notably through the acquisition of Iranian-made drones and military consultation.
Despite the growing Russia-Iran ties, the Kremlin has historically managed a balancing act in its Middle East policy, wary of overcommitting to Iranian ambitions. Russia also values its practical relationship with Israel, particularly for security coordination in Syria, where both countries maintain military presences and where Israel regularly conducts operations to prevent Iran’s entrenchment and arms smuggling to Hezbollah.
The decision to snub Iran and embrace Israel in such a high-profile setting sent a clear diplomatic message. Analysts interpreted the move as an indication that Moscow is seeking to carefully navigate its position in the region. Russia appears intent on preventing its policies from being defined solely by its partnership with Iran, especially given Tehran’s increasing international isolation due to its pursuit of nuclear capability and sponsorship of terror campaigns against Israel. Commentators also suggested the Kremlin may be testing avenues for improving dialogue with the United States, which has reaffirmed its support for Israel’s self-defense against Iranian-led aggression.
Within Israel, the government’s decision to send its ambassador to the Moscow parade sparked debate. Some observers criticized participation at a Russian state event given Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine and its collaboration with the Iranian regime. Others justified the move as a necessity for safeguarding Israeli interests, especially regarding military freedom of action in Syria and the safety of Jewish communities across former Soviet states. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Israel’s participation signifies both respect for Holocaust memory and a determination not to let the lessons of history be overshadowed by current conflicts.
The context is especially poignant in the shadow of the October 7, 2023 massacre, when Hamas terrorists, backed by Iran, perpetrated the most devastating antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—murdering, mutilating, and abducting hundreds of Israeli civilians. The parallels between the historical events commemorated in Russia’s parade and Israel’s ongoing struggle against genocidal terror are clear to many in the Jewish state and its allies. The moral imperative to defend against such threats is a central tenet of Israel’s national security and international diplomacy.
Reaction from Iran to its omission was muted but pointed, with Iranian sources reportedly expressing concern that the Kremlin’s gesture undermines Tehran’s quest for regional legitimacy and complicates ongoing coordination with Moscow in Syria and beyond. For Iran, being left out of such a symbolic international event comes as it faces mounting challenges, from growing domestic unrest to battlefield losses by its proxies and increased scrutiny over human rights violations and terror sponsorship.
For Israel, the episode highlighted the importance of maintaining diplomatic flexibility, even with nations whose broader policies may conflict with its own. Russian invitations and gestures such as this are interpreted within Jerusalem as signals that even powers currently at odds with the West can acknowledge the existential threat Israel faces from the network of Iranian-backed terror groups and support, at least tacitly, its right to defend itself.
Victory Day for Russia, a nation that suffered immeasurably at the hands of Nazi Germany, resonates deeply with Israel, where Holocaust memory is central to national identity and policy. Israeli participation in the parade, despite domestic debate, reinforced the ongoing relevance of global remembrance and the need for international solidarity against antisemitic violence and terror.
While the implications of Russia’s invitation policy remain fluid—Moscow’s relationship with Tehran will almost certainly continue due to mutual interests in Syria and shared opposition to some Western policies—the May 9 decision remains notable for its symbolism. It underscores the complex and shifting landscape of Middle Eastern diplomacy, where old alliances are constantly tested by new realities and the moral responsibilities borne by sovereign democracies remain as urgent as ever.
