Russia backs Hamas terrorists, calls Israel ‘occupying power’ that ‘does not’ have right to self-defense
Russia has been a long-time supporter of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and has recently made comments implying that Israel does not have the right to defend itself. Vladimir Putin told reporters that Israel is an “occupying power” and that it “does not have the right to use force for self-defense against the people it occupies.” The Russian government has also fully supported Hamas’s bid to be accepted as a legitimate political force and recognized by the international community. Russia has also criticized Israel’s airstrikes against Gaza, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has publicly urged peace talks between Israel and Hamas.