Content area
Full text
The demise of the Soviet Union constituted a turning point in the diplomatic relations between Israel and the states of the Balkan peninsula. Like all states of the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania were determined to establish new relationships in order to enhance their unique character as independent nations. It was inevitable therefore, that their newly acquired freedom would lead them to renounce Communism, introduce Western ideas and encourage the development of laisez-faire economies. The newly acquired freedom had transformed their foreign policies as well. It manifested itself in greater openness, and a forthcoming attitude toward the United States, western Europe, and indirectly, Israel. All four Balkan states examined here maintained a certain degree of liberty in foreign affairs. Yugoslavia had taken the liberty to define its role as a leader independently of the non-aligned Third World nations. Romania pursued its foreign policy objectives with almost complete disregard to Moscow's wish. Albania had always made attempts to establish relations that suited its interests. Its leaders preferred to establish ties with China, in order to offset both Yugoslav and Soviet influence. Only Bulgaria demonstrated a near total submission to the Soviet Union. The demise of the Soviet Union reinforced this trend. These countries were no longer compelled to maintain a low profile or covert foreign relations.
Independence for the Balkan state meant that the Soviet market was no longer available to them. Therefore, they sought to become more selfsufficient and to fashion a foreign policy suitable to their economic needs. Israel, with its extraordinary scientific and technical resources seemed an attractive ally, and a bridge to the United States. Furthermore, the onset of the Arab-Israeli dialogue and the decline of pan-Arabism had greatly diminished the risk that a rapprochement with Israel entailed.
From Israel's point of view, normal relations with the Balkan states were regarded as part of the diplomatic momentum which earned it the friendship of other countries in the region, such as Greece and Turkey. Nevertheless, the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Balkan states, as this article shows, entailed risks and complications. This was especially the case in Yugoslavia, whose leadership adopted non-alignment as one of the tenets of its foreign policy. The fear of antagonizing its large Muslim minority...