Putin replies to the conflict between Israel and Palestine
Russian President Vladimir Putin stirred controversy with his recent remarks about the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine. On May 13, in a press conference, Putin urged both sides of the conflict to cease fighting and called on Israel not to conduct ground operations in the Gaza Strip.
14 October 2023
Israel's reaction was swift and negative. An Israeli government official stated that "We have already expressed our stance days ago, and now they are making a noise again," suggesting that Russia has not sufficiently condemned Palestine's actions. However, Putin clarified that Russia cannot condemn Palestine as it does not want to take sides in the conflict.
The ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine has drawn global attention away from other regional conflicts, including the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Ukrainian President Zelensky's frustration with this shift in focus is evident in his recent statement: "The United States and Western countries almost gave all their energy and assistance to Ukraine, but Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian Territories began fighting, and immediately the world's attention shifted to the Middle East."
According to the Ministry of Health in the Palestinian Autonomous Region, at least 1900 people have died locally since Hamas crossed the border and attacked Israel. The Israeli military has responded with airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in massive casualties among Palestinian civilians.
Putin also expressed strong opposition to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, comparing it to the Siege of Leningrad during World War II. This comparison drew strong reactions from Weibo netizens. Some supported Putin's stance, stating that "Israel uses weapons to fight against the entire Middle East! How can Palestine fight in this war?" Others criticized Russia for not condemning Palestine, with one user writing, "He points out that countries such as the United States and Europe have never considered the fundamental interests of the Palestinians, which reminds us of the war in Ukraine."
Another Weibo user expressed their frustration at the situation stating, "Why does this have to be like this? No matter what Putin says, someone will still criticize him?"
As a result of the ongoing violence, thousands of Palestinians have fled north Gaza. However, Hamas officials claimed that Israel launched airstrikes on convoys of fleeing civilians, causing additional casualties. The situation has sparked intense debate and criticism from Weibo users, with many expressing their concerns about the escalating conflict.
The question of which country the US would prioritize assistance for if Israel and Ukraine's ammunition supplies were depleted also drew curiosity among netizens. Another user speculated on this topic, "If Israel and Ukraine's ammunition are exhausted, which country will the US prioritize assistance?"
In conclusion, Putin's statements on the Israel-Palestine conflict have sparked controversy both domestically in Russia and internationally. The situation has highlighted deep divisions in global opinion regarding the conflict, with many criticizing Western countries for not considering the fundamental interests of the Palestinians. As the violence continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and what further reactions it will elicit from world leaders.