Israeli Ambassador Halperin was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry due to unacceptable statements
The new Israeli ambassador to Moscow, Simone Halperin, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry after her interview with the Kommersant newspaper. The Israeli diplomat's statements regarding Moscow's policies were called unacceptable and anti-Russian.
The Russian department also stated that such words from the new Israeli ambassador are “an extremely unsuccessful start to the diplomatic mission.”
In connection with unacceptable public statements by the Israeli Ambassador, distorting Russian foreign policy approaches and historical realities, Halperin will be summoned to the Foreign Ministry
The Ambassador criticized Russia's reaction to the events of October 7
Halperin said Moscow was too late to condemn the October attack on Israel by the Palestinian Hamas movement. Moreover, the ambassador indicated that Moscow promised to negotiate for the release of the hostages, but about four months have passed and there are no visible results. At the same time, in November, Hamas released several Russian citizens from captivity as a sign of gratitude to President Vladimir Putin.
Russia’s position worries and depresses me because because of it, your country is losing the sympathy of Israelis, including Russian speakers
Photo: Kirill Kallinikov / RIA Novosti
In addition, the ambassador believes, the Russian side has not declared the Palestinian group terrorist and continues to meet with its members. In October 2023, Hamas Politburo member Abu Marzouk actually arrived on a visit to Moscow.
Galperin accused Russia of supporting terrorism
According to the Israeli diplomat, Moscow’s position regarding the actions of the Houthis is also alarming. The Yemeni movement is trying to cut off the main trade route between Asia and Europe, and is also threatening ships heading to Israel. “But we don’t hear a word of condemnation from Russia in the UN Security Council,” Galperin said.
Russia, which itself suffered from terrorist attacks, does not support Israel's fight against terrorism
Photo: Evgeny Odinokov / RIA Novosti
The ambassador also stated that Russia stands in solidarity with the Republic of South Africa (RSA). In December 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice to recognize Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip as genocide. The country accused Tel Aviv of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention. On January 26, the court issued a formal ruling calling on Israel to prevent possible genocide of the population in Gaza.
This is not the first time that Israel has condemned Russia.
At the end of January, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said that the country needs to reconsider relations with Russia because of Moscow’s position on the situation in the Gaza Strip. Lapid noted that Israel will not be able to forgive Russia for its position for a very long time. According to him, Putin and the country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov “unambiguously sided with Hamas,” calling the Palestinian movement a “legitimate organization.”
Nevertheless, Israel should maintain relations with Moscow “for strategic reasons,” Lapid is convinced. At the same time, he admitted that the previous warm relations between the countries will not exist in the near future.
#Israeli #ambassador #summoned #Foreign #Ministry #statements #Russian #politics #considered #unacceptable
