In a phone call on Sunday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia’s cooperation with Iran is “dangerous.” Netanyahu also sharply criticised Moscow’s anti-Israel stances at the UN and other international forums.
Just prior to this call, Russia had supported a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which the US vetoed on Friday.
“Dangerous” Cooperation between Iran, Russia: Netanyahu
According to a statement released by the Israeli PM’s office, Netanyahu strongly criticised the cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Additionally, he expressed his “dissatisfaction with the positions expressed against Israel by Russian representatives at the UN and in other forums,” the statement read.
As per the statement, Netanyahu claimed that any country targeted by a criminal terrorist attack, such as Israel, would respond with no less force than his country is using.
Nevertheless, the Israeli leader praised Russia’s efforts to free an Israeli citizen with Russian citizenship who has been taken hostage by Hamas, and stated that Israel would use all diplomatic and military means to release all hostages.
Netanyahu also urged Putin to exert pressure on the Red Cross to facilitate visits and the delivery of medicines to the hostages, the statement said.
Benjamin Netanyahu held a 50-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin on Sunday to discuss Israel’s war against Hamas https://t.co/9BwFnEBUQm
— Bloomberg (@business) December 10, 2023
Putin Condemns all Forms of Terrorism
Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated that Russia is prepared to provide all possible assistance to alleviate civilian suffering and de-escalate the conflict.
In its statement, the Kremlin said, “Putin reaffirmed the principle position of rejecting and condemning terrorism in all its forms.”
The discussion centred on the critical situation in the Palestine-Israel conflict zone, specifically the disastrous humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the statement reported.
Furthermore, both leaders expressed mutual interest in continuing to work together on the evacuation of Russian citizens and their families, as well as the release of Israelis imprisoned in Gaza.
Russia’s Anti-Israel Stance
Russia, a permanent member of the UNSC, backed a UN resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip on Friday, accusing the US of acting as “complicit in Israel’s brutal massacre,” an apparent reference to the more than 17,000 people killed in the enclave since the war began.
Putin has repeatedly criticised Israel’s military campaign, called for humanitarian aid to Gaza, and urged a cease-fire in a UNSC resolution that did not mention Hamas. Moscow has backed Israel’s right to self-defence but condemned the for using “cruel methods” in its fight against the militant group.
In response to a series of rocket attacks on Israel, the country launched airstrikes on several military bases in Syria in October, prompting Russia’s foreign ministry to declare that the strike violated Syria’s “sovereignty and international law.”
Later that month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the strikes “unacceptable.”
Russia-Iran Close Ties
Following a series of US and European sanctions imposed on it in response to its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has developed a closer military alliance with Iran.
Last week, Putin met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and parised Tehran for its support for Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine and discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict as well. “It is very important for us to exchange views on the situation in the region, especially with regard to the situation in Palestine,” Putin remarked.
Russia is using Iranian-made drones and building a factory that will manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles designed by Iran as it continues its aggression in Ukraine, reports suggested. In exchange, Tehran is reportedly receiving advanced fighter aircraft and missiles, as well as electronics and air defence equipment, from Moscow.