Israel is upset over Vladimir Putin’s invitation to have Hamas leaders visit him in Russia. Well, duh.
“It’s not just a slap in the face to Israel. It’s a slap in the face to Western countries,” said one Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because talks with Russia were ongoing. “We are waiting for an explanation.”
The administration of U.S. President George W. Bush has also asked Moscow to explain Putin’s statement.
Israel is looking for an explanation.
Putin’s move is considered by Israel as a breach of the international circle of agreement regarding Hamas. Following the PA elections and talks held by Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni with state leaders and foreign ministers, it appeared that Russia would act according to the same understandings.
According to the understandings, there would be no dialogue with Hamas before it renounces terror and disarms, and until Hamas recognizes Israel and stops calling for its destruction and commits to all of the agreements signed between Israel and the PA since the Oslo agreement in 1993.
I don’t think they’re going to get one. I think this is another way Putin is trying to make Russia dominant again, just as his relationship with Iran is screwing the U.S. and the rest of the Western world. He is an unrepentant former Communist. Some of us remember what they were like. Some of us remember the nuclear nightmares facing us. Some of us think that Putin wants to turn back the clock and be the number two superpower, vying with the U.S. for supremacy. But there’s no there there, and so he plays with the fire of Islamic terrorism (all the while murdering Chechnyans indiscriminately in the name of anti-terrorism), and thinks that it won’t reach up to bite him in the ass.
The Jihadis want Russian territory too, Putin.
I think that he has Iran covering his back as far as Chechnya is concerned.
The big question is how Russia can remain in the Quartet.
The State Department really screwed up by going along with the EU, UN and Russia to go under 3-1.
Are they still DUI of Glasnost?
Pingback: Vital Perspective
Of more concern – the French, being French, have now endorsed this Russia-Hamas conference.
chsw
Putin is now actively picking fights with the West and threatening eastern europe
the phony listening device in the rock is meant to make russians believe once again that the west is constantly spying on them and inspire paranoia while openly confronting england once again
putin’s takeover of gasprom by illegal means puts him into position for threatening the gas supply of ukraine and europe and georgia and using economics to force them away from independence…the irony of a communist using economic warfare is obvious
Let’s not forget that Putin was a former KGB thug.
Boy, I really don’t like the Russians. Same reason why my family fled from that place. I think Chechens who murder Russian kids are terrorists, even though I do think that Russia is the aggressor in that conflict and has committed many atrocities. So, Russia doesn’t think a group who blows up innocent Jews are terrorists. Once again, Russia has shown itself to be a selfish, heartless, and brutal country. Take a bow Russia. I am so happy that my family left your shit hole of a country.
Once again, the lack of response to the Russian invitation is terrible. Where is this moral clarity that some of our leaders were advocating? Scary, especially when thinking that Russia is currently leading the negotiation regarding Iran’s nuclear program. See interesting analysis there. Are we insane?