Israel should not think that the suffering of Jews during World War II gives it free rein in foreign policy, particularly when it comes to the hostilities in Gaza, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has says. The Soviet people were also subject to Nazi genocide, but Russia doesn’t have carte blanche in the global arena, he says at a press conference on the results of Moscow’s diplomacy in 2023 on Thursday.
Quick Read
- Lavrov’s Comments on Israel’s Actions in Gaza: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, stating that the suffering of Jews during World War II does not grant Israel unlimited freedom in foreign policy. He compared this to Russia’s experience in WWII, noting that despite the Soviet people also being victims of Nazi genocide, Russia does not claim carte blanche in global affairs.
- Support for Palestinian State: Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for the creation of a Palestinian state, highlighting its importance for stability in the Middle East and resolving tensions between Palestinians and Israelis.
- Condemnation of Hamas Attack and Israeli Response: While condemning the initial Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Lavrov also criticized some Israeli officials’ derogatory comments about Gaza residents and the West’s lack of response to these remarks.
- Reference to Soviet Suffering in WWII: Lavrov mentioned the shared suffering of Jews and Soviet people during the Nazi regime, emphasizing that both groups faced extermination and starvation, particularly during the siege of Leningrad.
- Call for International Law Compliance: He stressed the need for systematic adherence to international law, implying that historical suffering does not justify current actions that violate these laws.
- Casualty Figures and Ground Operation in Gaza: Lavrov noted the high casualty figures from the conflict, with more than 1,200 Israelis and 24,000 Palestinians killed since the Hamas attack. He commented on Israel’s vow to continue its military operation in Gaza until Hamas is defeated and Palestinian society is “deradicalized.”
- Russia’s Position on Ceasefire and Remembrance of the Holocaust: Russia has consistently called for a ceasefire and reminded Israel to adhere to the laws of war. Lavrov also acknowledged the Holocaust’s impact and the significant loss of life in the Soviet Union during WWII.
- Global South Influence and Western Decline: Lavrov spoke about the increasing influence of the Global South and the declining sway of Western nations in international affairs.
- Russia-China Relations and Criticism of U.S.-led Actions in Yemen: He lauded the strong ties between Russia and China, characterizing them as stronger than traditional military alliances. Lavrov also criticized the U.S.-led attacks in Yemen, suggesting they decrease the Houthis’ willingness to engage in dialogue.
Reuters has the story:
Russia’s FM Lavrov says ‘Holocaust doesn’t give Israel impunity’
Newslooks- MOSCOW- Reuters
Israel should not think that the suffering of Jews during World War II gives it free rein in foreign policy, particularly when it comes to the hostilities in Gaza, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said. The Soviet people were also subject to Nazi genocide, but Russia doesn’t have carte blanche in the global arena, he says.
Speaking at a press conference on the results of Moscow’s diplomacy in 2023 on Thursday, Lavrov reiterated his support for the creation of a Palestinian state. The decades-long failure to do this is one of the key reasons for the current instability in the Middle East and tensions between Palestinians and Israelis, he added.
The foreign minister noted that Russia had immediately condemned the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7. However, after the hostilities began, some Israeli officials went so far as to call the residents of Gaza “animals” without facing any backlash from the West, he added.
Lavrov added that the Soviet people had suffered no less as they were exterminated in the same Nazi concentration camps as the Jews, with both people dying from starvation side-by-side in besieged Leningrad.
“According to this logic, we can do whatever we want. That won’t work if we want to systematically uphold international law,” he added.
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, with the ensuing fighting killing more than 1,200 Israelis and 24,000 Palestinians. Since then, Israel started a ground operation in the Palestinian enclave, which has caused unprecedented destruction. It has vowed not to stop until Hamas is completely defeated and Palestinian society “deradicalized.”
Russia has repeatedly called on the two sides to agree to a ceasefire while urging Israel not to forget the laws of war.
The Holocaust claimed the lives of around six million Jews in Europe. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union lost some 27 million people during the war, including many Jews, with two-thirds of those losses among the civilian population. Israel should not think that the suffering of Jews during World War II gives it free rein in foreign policy, The Soviet people were also subject to Nazi genocide, but Russia doesn’t have carte blanche in the global arena”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
Lavrov talked at length about growing influence of the Global South and argued that Western sway in international affairs was waning.
He hailed Russia-China ties, saying they are going through their “best period in history” and are stronger than a conventional military union.
Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s call for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, describing it as the only way to ensure security for both Palestinians and Israel. He also criticized the U.S.-led attacks on Yemen, saying that “the more the Americans and the British bomb, the less desire to talk the Houthis have.”
