Russia: Israel's criticism of contacts with Hamas is unacceptable

The Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, said today, Friday, that his country considers Tel Aviv’s criticism of contacts with the Hamas movement unacceptable, pointing out that Moscow is committed to resolving humanitarian issues in the conflict zone in a way that meets the interests of all parties.

Viktorov told the Russian “Sputnik” agency: “The attempt to blame us, because of our contacts with representatives of the political wing of the Hamas movement and other forces in the region and to accuse us of almost supporting terrorism, is unacceptable, and such baseless slanders cannot cast doubt on our work.” Aiming to resolve humanitarian issues that meet the interests of citizens of Russia, Israel and other countries.”

Viktorov pointed out that since October last year, the Russian Foreign and Defense Ministries, and diplomats of Russian embassies in the Middle East, have been in close contact with the Israeli, Palestinian, Qatari, Egyptian and other parties regarding the issue of releasing detainees in the Gaza Strip.

Viktorov stressed, “This work has not stopped for a single day, and we will continue it. Russian diplomacy will do everything in its power to facilitate the release of all hostages, and that our Israeli colleagues are aware of all the efforts we are making.”

#Russia