- November 18, 2025
- 6:46 pm
- Israel
“On November 14, 2025, in Nazareth, the Russian Ambassador to Israel, A.D. Viktorov, participated in a ceremonial event organized by the Israeli Association of Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities on the occasion of Alumni Day,” – from the official message of the Russian Embassy in Israel., –
“The event was also attended by the Russian Consul General in Haifa, A.V. Krasilnikov, the chairman of the Association of Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities, Dr. S. Khatib, and the Honorary Consul General of Russia in Nazareth, A. Safiya.”
The editorial board of NANews emphasizes that it does not adhere to any forms of racial, national, or religious discrimination. We respect all residents of Israel — Jews, Arabs, Druze, Circassians, others, Christians, and Muslims. The material below is about specific organizations, diplomatic events, and political connections, not about peoples.
Any descriptions concern structures and processes, not ethnic or religious groups. We consider it important to cover topics related to foreign influence, international diplomacy, and internal processes in Israel, regardless of which sectors of society they manifest in.
“Israeli Association of Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities”
On November 17, 2025, another meeting took place in Nazareth, which rarely attracts the attention of Israeli media but is very indicative for understanding Russian policy in Israel.
The Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov held a meeting with the Honorary Consul General of Russia in Nazareth, Dr. Amin Safiya (message from the Russian Embassy).
“Issues of maintaining Russian-Israeli cooperation in cultural, economic, educational, scientific, and other fields were discussed.”
“A.D. Viktorov congratulated A. Safiya on receiving a state award — the Order of Friendship — from the hands of the President of the Russian Federation, Putin. He wished the Honorary Consul General new successes and achievements in the interests of the peoples of Russia and Israel.”
In the official release — everything is predictable: “strengthening cultural, economic, educational, and scientific ties.” But the visual context of the meeting — flags, participants, location — speaks of a completely different, deeper line.
This meeting was a continuation of a series of events that Russia conducts specifically in Arab Galilee (and other cities with predominantly Arab populations), not among Russian-speaking Jews. And this is the key signal.
How many graduates of Soviet universities live in Israel — and who are they?
There is no exact data, but the numbers can be estimated through migration studies from the 1970s to the 2020s.
Jewish Repatriates
In the 1990s, more than a million people from the USSR/CIS arrived.
Among them:
- 400–500 thousand had diplomas from Soviet universities,
- most were engineers, doctors, chemists, physicists, mathematicians, teachers,
- the overwhelming majority were Jews or members of Jewish families.
But these people came to Israel as repatriates, not as graduates of the “USSR → Israel” program. They did not create associations “by universities” because they all lived nearby, worked, integrated, and the public infrastructure was formed around language, political activity, or profession — but not on the principle of “graduate of MSU/KPI/LGU.”
Arab Citizens of Israel
A completely different story.
From the 1970s and especially in the 1980s–2010s in the USSR, and later in Russia:
- hundreds of Arabs from Israel studied annually,
- some years — more than 300–400 students,
- many returned as doctors, engineers, educators, scientists.
Currently, there are several thousand Arab citizens of the country living in Israel — graduates of Soviet and Russian universities.
And here’s the important part: this is a community formed through Russia, not through Israel.
They have a unified biography: “studied in the USSR/RF → returned → maintained connection.”
The source “Maan News” directly states:
«أكثر من 400 فلسطيني يتخرجون سنويا من الجامعات الروسية»
“Annually, more than 400 Palestinians (i.e., Arabs of Israel and the PA) graduate from Russian universities.”
This is a huge flow over 50 years.
Hence the structure arises, which Russia actively uses.
How many such graduates were at the event — and who really belongs to the association?
At the last “Alumni Days” in Nof HaGalil and Nazareth, there were:
- 200–250 people at one meeting,
- all available photos and videos show Arab participants,
- among the guests were Ambassador Viktorov, Consul General Krasilnikov, Russian diplomats.
“Soviet” and “Russian” Jews are not present. At all.
Why?
Because this association is Arab, despite its neutral name.
Jewish repatriates do not participate in such events and are not part of the association.
The Association of Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities in Israel — what is this structure?
Its main goal is to “unite all graduates of Soviet and Russian higher educational institutions living in the country for mutual assistance, protection of common professional interests, and strengthening friendly ties with Russia“, – alumnirussia.org.
The association is aimed at “preserving commitment to Russian culture and maintaining contacts between graduates — people whose successful careers began with education in the USSR/Russia“, – alumnirussia.org.
Among its tasks is also “assisting the younger generation in obtaining education: the association cooperates with the Russian Cultural Center and the embassy on state scholarships from the Russian Embassy and the Rossotrudnichestvo representation, helping to select candidates from among Israelis and send them to study at Russian universities“, – russkiymir.ru.
Number and Structure
The exact number of association members is not published, but it is about several thousand participants across the country. Members of the association are usually “established professionals: doctors, engineers, scientists, educators, cultural figures, public and political figures” – alumnirussia.org.
The leadership of the association is formed from the most “active graduates.” Thus, in May 2024, at the IV congress in Nazareth, a new administrative commission of about 25 people was elected, headed by Dr. Samir Khatib (he replaced the previous long-term chairman Dr. Khalil Andraus).
“The association closely interacts with the Russian Embassy and the Russian Cultural Center, receiving methodological support. Russian diplomats highly appreciate the work of this organization and its contribution to strengthening humanitarian ties between Russia and Israel“, – myseldon.comrusskiymir.ru.
For example, Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov personally participates in the association’s events — from awarding commemorative certificates to veteran graduates to presenting research — and notes the “important contribution of graduates to bilateral relations“.
The organization’s plans also include “creating an Arab-Russian Cultural Center in Nazareth to develop cultural ties” – bukja.net.
Where the Association Operates
Cities:
- Nazareth
- Nof HaGalil (formerly Nazareth Illit)
- Shfaram
- Umm al-Fahm
- Tayibe
- Baqa al-Gharbiyye
- Sakhnin
- Kafr Kanna
All are “Arab” cities and villages of Israel.
Who Leads
All known names are Arab:
- Dr. Samir Khatib — chairman of the association
- Dr. Khalil Andraus — former chairman
- Dr. Jamal Khatib
- Dr. Mahmoud Hashash
- Dr. Muhammad Haj
- Dr. Amin Safiya — honorary consul of the Russian Federation
There are no “Russian Jews” — Israelis, graduates of USSR universities, among the leadership.
What the Association Does
- holds “Alumni Days” in Arab cities;
- organizes mass events with the participation of the Russian ambassador;
- promotes the education of Arab students in the Russian Federation;
- acts as a tool of Russia’s public diplomacy;
- strengthens pro-Russian sentiments in the Arab sector;
- participates in events with the Palestinian Association of Graduates of USSR/RF Universities (PA).
With Whom It Is Connected
The association is closely linked with:
- The Russian Embassy in Israel,
- The Russian Cultural Center (RCC),
- Rossotrudnichestvo,
- Russian diplomats of the “Arab direction”,
- PA structures related to USSR graduates.
Why Do Only Arabs Participate, Not Jews?
Because:
- Arab students studied in the USSR and RF as representatives of the Arab sector of Israel
- Jewish repatriates — left the USSR, not went there to study
They have opposite biographies and opposite historical relations with Russia.
The Association Is Not “Israeli”. It Is Almost Entirely Arab.
This is confirmed by:
- the composition of participants,
- geography,
- names,
- Arab press,
- connection with Palestinian structures,
- contacts with the Palestinian Association of Graduates (which is indicative in itself).
“The association operates at a national level, uniting graduates from different regions of Israel. Historically, it is most active in localities with a high proportion of Arab population, from where the main mass of students who studied in the USSR came. Nazareth is one of the centers of activity (congresses and festive evenings are regularly held there). Events were also held in Shfaram (Galilee), in the Triangle cities, and other regions — the association has an extensive network“.
According to Russian-language sources, the organization has several regional branches to cover different communities in the country.
Moreover,
“connections have been established with similar associations outside Israel: the association cooperates with the Palestinian Association of Graduates (for coordination with graduates from “East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza”) writes kul-alarab.comkul-alarab.com, and also participates in international alumni structures (participates in World Forums of Foreign Graduates of Russian Universities)“.
Conclusion: Why Does Russia Need This?
Russia strengthens influence through:
Soft Power in the Arab Sector of Israel
Almost a million Arabs live in Galilee.
This is a huge electoral and social layer.
A Communication Channel Bypassing the Russian-speaking Jewish Community
Jews from the USSR are mostly:
- anti-Putin,
- pro-West,
- pro-Ukraine,
- critical of the Russian Federation.
Therefore, the Russian Federation bets on those who studied there and retained loyalty.
Influence on Israel’s Internal Politics
Through:
- cultural projects,
- educational quotas,
- direct contact of diplomats with local elites,
- symbolic recognition (orders, certificates).
Formation of a “Support Belt for Russia” in the Middle East
The Arab sector of Israel is a convenient platform:
- proximity to the PA,
- common alumni networks,
- absence of anti-Russian sentiments characteristic of the Russian-speaking community.
Where Is the Israeli Government Looking?
1. Formally — Nowhere
There is no law prohibiting Israeli citizens from being part of such an association.
2. In Fact — This Is an Area the Authorities Do Not Consider a Threat
Because the events look “cultural-educational”.
3. Practically — The Government Does Not Interfere in the Arab Sector
Israel rarely interferes in cultural-political initiatives within Arab communities unless there is direct support for terrorism.
Moscow takes advantage of this.
4. Against the Background of the RF–Ukraine War, the Israeli Government Is Forced to “Maintain Neutrality”
Sharp steps against Russian diplomacy would lead to:
- problems in Syria (… again),
- tension in dialogue on the Iranian threat,
- worsening coordination on Lebanon.
- other issues in the Middle East.
Therefore, Israel “pretends not to notice”.
Final Conclusion
The Association of Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities in Israel is not a “Russian diaspora” and not a “Soviet legacy”.
It is a political network of Russian influence in the Arab sector of the country, operating for decades.
Moscow uses it to:
- maintain influence in the region,
- promote interests through “soft power”,
- form a lobby favorable to the Russian Federation,
- communicate with the Arab elite bypassing official Israeli channels.
Israel looks at this cautiously and carefully, avoiding conflicts that could affect regional security.
…
NANews Israel News Nikk.Agency
