Life in Israel has changed after the arrival of the immigrants from the Soviet Union. They brought in high culture and entrepreneurial spirit. “For many years we joked that Israel has become the 51st U.S. state, but instead we have become one of the republics of the USSR,” says Israeli journalist Lily Galili.  They “did not want to integrate, but to lead, and they changed the character of the country.”
US president Bill Clinton called the Russian-speaking Israelis an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians. The Russophone party Our Home – Israel  have strong influence on internal political life.

 Article – Harriet Sherwood – The Guardian