Israel summons Russian envoy to protest Moscow visit by Hamas delegation

By Said Amouri

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov on Sunday to protest the hosting last week by Moscow of a delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas.

“Russia's ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, was summoned this morning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem following the visit of the Hamas delegation to Moscow,” the ministry said.

It added that Ambassador Simona Halperin, the deputy director of the Eurasia Division at the Foreign Ministry, explained to Viktorov that Israel views with seriousness the lack of clear and frank condemnation by Moscow of Hamas.

The statement noted that Halperin also expressed her dissatisfaction with "Russia's behavior in international organizations."

"Hosting Hamas leaders, who are directly responsible for the attack that occurred on Oct. 7, the hostage-taking and the bloodshed of more than 1,400 Israelis at their hands, conveys a message of legitimacy for terrorism against Israelis," she said.

On Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrival of a Hamas delegation to Moscow.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat