MOSCOW: Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now serving as the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has pointed fingers at US foreign policy failures for the recent surge in violence in Middle East. Medvedev’s statement comes as Russian social-media users celebrated the outbreak of violence, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his nation to be “at war” with Hamas, promising severe repercussions.
Clashes between Hamas and Israel on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War come as an expected development. This is what Washington and its allies should be busy with. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on for decades, with the US the key player in it.…
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) October 7, 2023
Medvedev, who previously expressed anti-Western sentiments primarily regarding the conflict in Ukraine, turned his attention to the Middle East, asserting that the conflict between Israel and Palestine has deep roots, with the US playing a significant role. He accused the US of neglecting efforts toward a Palestinian-Israeli settlement and instead fueling global conflicts. In a Telegram post, Medvedev stated, “What can stop America’s obsession with fomenting conflict around the world? Apparently, only civil war.”
Russia Links Ukraine Conflict to Situation in Israel
Furthermore, Medvedev echoed Kremlin rhetoric by linking the conflict in Ukraine to the situation in Israel. He criticized the US for allegedly supporting neo-Nazis in Ukraine. Medvedev’s comments coincided with escalating violence in Israel, where Hamas breached the border fence, fired rockets into Israeli towns, and reportedly took hostages. However, these figures have not been independently verified.
Russian social-media platforms also saw a surge in support for the attacks in Israel. Various Telegram accounts expressed solidarity with the Palestinian fighters, with some channels celebrating the turmoil in Israel and dismissing any sympathy for Israelis. State channel host Sergey Mardan emphasized the advantageous position for Russia, highlighting Iran-backed Hamas as a significant ally and contrasting Israel as a US ally.
Geopolitical analyst Jessica Berlin emphasized the interconnectedness of global conflicts, stating that Russia had bolstered ties with Iran-backed Hamas over the past decade. Berlin suggested a direct link between the ongoing violence in Israel and the daily struggles in Ukraine, emphasizing the complex web of international relations at play.
