Amid ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Israel signs cinema cooperation deal with Russia

Israel has signed a cooperation agreement with Russia on cinema, local and Israeli media reports, appearing to break a united Western front against Moscow’s ongoing bloody invasion of Ukraine.

A photo shared by the Kan public broadcaster shows Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi signing the deal alongside Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, who is currently sanctioned by the United States and European Union.

שימו לב לסיפור הזה: רוסיה וישראל חתמו היום במוסקווה על הסכם לשיתוף פעולה בתחום הקולנוע. שרת התרבות של רוסיה, הנמצאת תחת משטר סנקציות של ארה"ב והאיחוד האירופי, היא זו שחתמה על ההסכם אל מול שגריר ישראל ברוסיה, אלכס בן-צבי -> pic.twitter.com/eZkMrpnFVM

— Gili Cohen (@gilicohen10) September 6, 2023

The agreement gives film directors from both countries access to archives and facilitates collaborations on creating joint movies.

Lyubimova is quoted by Russian media saying the talks on the deal have been ongoing since 2009, hailing the agreement as “important” and adding: “We are eagerly awaiting Israeli directors in our cinema competition programs.”

Ben Zvi is quoted as saying: “I’m convinced we will have many joint movies. Producers are interested in collaborations.”