Abstract: This article is dedicated to examination of a large and rapidly developing community of the State of Israel – the “Russian Street”, and its influence upon Israel-Russia relations. The author considers such aspects of the topic as: the differences between “Great Aliyah” of the 1990s and the first wave of repatriation of the 1970s; factors that formed the unique “Russian-Jewish” identity among the “Russian street” representatives; political and economic potential of the “Russian Israel”, key areas of cooperation of two countries, and the role of the “Russian” community thereof. In the course of this research, the author applies the means and procedures of formal logic, specific-sociological approach, and interpretation tools of various sources. The main conclusion lies in the following thesis: if in political regard the community does not produce a decisive influence upon the actions of Israeli authorities, then in economic aspect, it unequivocally contributes to strengthening of economic ties between Israel and Russia. Russia’s initiatives on the development of different forms of economic, cultural and media cooperation can stimulate the expansion of influence of the Russian-speaking community.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the status and role of the “Russian” political movements and parties in the State of Israel. The author meticulously examines such aspects of the topic as the establishment of the communal party policy in the State of Israel, formation of the “Russian lobby” and its activity during the first decade of its existence (1992-2003), new generation of the “Russian lobby” (2004-2013). Attention is given to the analysis of the role of Russian speaking community within the political processes in Jewish state in the early XXI century. The specific feature of this work is the application of hermeneutic approach; the author also refers to the general scientific procedures, including analysis and synthesis, inductive and deductive conclusions. The scientific novelty consists in implementation of the comprehensive analysis of the “Russian lobby” phenomenon in Israel. The key conclusion lies in the statement that at the present stage there are the following models of lobbying of interests of the “Russian street” of Israel: creation of narrow-sectoral communal party, development of the “Russian” parties with Israel accent, and use of resources of the national parties.