Western media remind that Netanyahu continued to cooperate with Putin even after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but now Moscow has supported Iran and Hamas.
Once-cordial relations between Russia and Israel have worsened following an attack on Israel by Iranian-backed Hamas militants. Even when Russia attacked Ukraine and entered into an alliance with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to cooperate with Putin, writes The Wall Street Journal.
However, Putin did not offer condolences to Israel after the attack, which killed more than 1,300 Israelis. This distancing is part of a broader shift in Russia’s Middle East policy.
“Now that war is raging again in the Middle East, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may feel he has been dealt a blow by his ‘dear friend’ Putin.” – writes Al Jazeera.
Moreover, Moscow’s position this week prevented the UN Security Council from reaching the unanimity needed to condemn Hamas.
Russia has strengthened its ties with Iran, supplying it with military aircraft and considering new arms deals. In turn, Iran supplies Russia with components for drones.
Both countries, increasingly isolated from the West, appear to be strengthening an anti-Western alliance that extends to Hamas. The conflict in Israel has diverted global attention from Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, giving Putin pause ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
Russian state media and officials portrayed the situation as a failure of American foreign policy, accusing the United States of focusing on destabilizing Russia rather than promoting peace in the Middle East. Russia has also seized the opportunity to forge ties with Israel’s Arab neighbors, reminiscent of its Cold War stance toward Israel.
We previously wrote that the Hamas group, which carried out the massacre in Israel, thanked Russian dictator Vladimir Putin for his support.
Author: Mark Voroshilov
2023-10-15 08:29:33
#Putin #dealt #blow #Netanyahu #media #reported #response #dear #friend #Moscow
