Russian ambassador rebuked for comments on Israel
Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov on Wednesday to rebuke him over comments on Israel.
In an interview he made with The Jerusalem Post this week, Viktorov said that ‘Israel’ destabilizes the Middle East more than Iran.
“The problem in the region is not Iranian activities,” Viktorov said. “It’s a lack of understanding between countries and non-compliance with UN resolutions in the Israel-Arab and Israel-Palestinian conflict.”
He said that “Israel is attacking Hezbollah. Hezbollah is not attacking Israel.”
The ambassador also said ‘Israel’ must “not attack the territories of sovereign UN members.”
Regarding normalizing ties with ‘Israel’, Viktorov said that Russia supports the “Abraham Accords,” and any move towards interaction is “a positive development, in of itself.”
However, he said, “Israel should sit down and talk about how to take everybody’s legitimate concerns into account and not create alliances and blocs against somebody else,” a clear reference to partnerships with Gulf states against Iran.
He added, “We strongly believe that the Palestinian question should not be put aside. The normalization should not replace a Palestinian-Israeli settlement because this problem will remain and will continue to endanger not only the countries and peoples of the region but also many others around the globe.”
Viktorov later wrote a letter of clarification to the Jerusalem Post, after rebuking him.
“Russian-Israeli constructive dialogue is founded on a solid base of partnership in various spheres,” Viktorov wrote.
“The Russian Federation will continue to further develop and expand bilateral ties with Israeli counterparts in order to achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East for the benefit of the peoples of the region.”
Asked about Viktorov’s comments in a press conference on Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi stated, “I think it was made clear beyond all doubt that Israel does not accept these statements and thus I hope we will bring an end to such embarrassing and unacceptable statements between us and Russia, and in general.”
