The Russian legal team did not accept a proposal by the Israeli delegation to resolve the Jewish Agency dispute, Israel Hayom has learned.
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Although the officials did not reject the proposal outright, they did not accept or provide an official answer either.
The development gives weight to the idea that the dispute is of political nature, rather than a merely legal problem, as Russia first claimed.
The members of the Israeli delegation, most of whom are lawyers, presented the Russian team with solutions aimed at bringing the agency in compliance with the law regarding the collection of information on citizens. Earlier, Russian authorities claimed that the Jewish Agency was in breach of privacy laws by collecting the personal information of people who are interested in immigrating to Israel.
A political source told Israel Hayom that the crisis cannot be resolved through legal means.
"The delegation is intended to convey two messages to the Russians: that we are 'part of the game' and respect their legal process, and that it is no longer just a matter for the agency, but for the State of Israel," he said. "However, it is clear that what is before us is not a legal problem but a political crisis, and therefore it is doubtful whether it will be possible to resolve it with such teams."
Israel is now expected to try to resolve the crisis diplomatically. President Isaac Herzog said last week that he was involved in efforts to bring about a solution, but emphasized that "the less we talk, the better." Prime Minister Yair Lapid is also believed to be personally involved in the matter.
Unless a breakthrough is achieved, Russia is set to commence its first Jewish Agency trial on Aug. 19, with the implication being that the ongoing political tension between Israel and Russia is likely to continue for now.
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