As of October 7, 2023, the number of Gazan civilians killed in the ongoing conflict has exceeded 18,000.1 It has been reported that the Israeli Army plans to fill tunnels in Gaza with seawater. On October 10, 2023, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Dmitri Polyanski, stated in a speech that such an action would constitute a war crime.2 Polyanski also expressed his disappointment in the same statement about the rejection of a proposed resolution in the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The proposal was vetoed by the permanent member, the United States (US), and the United Kingdom remained abstinent. 3
Dmitri Polyanski’s strong statement against Israel is not the first of its kind. Russia’s Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, Dmitri Medvedev, also described Israel’s attack on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza on October 17, 2023, as a “clear war crime,” placing the primary responsibility on the US. 4
The start of the Israel-Hamas conflict has diminished the visibility of the situation in Ukraine since October. While Western states and public opinion have been clearly against Russia with propaganda, arms support, and economic sanctions since the beginning of the Ukraine War, the Palestinian issue now occupies the world media and politics. In this context, the rejection of a total security aid package of 110 billion dollars prepared by US President Joe Biden for Israel and Ukraine in the Senate marks a new turning point for the Ukraine War. 5 The Republicans in the US Senate have not allowed the aid package to pass, arguing that the security at the borders with Mexico is much more urgent. 6 During his visit to the US on December 12, 2023, Ukrainian President Vladymyr Zelensky stated that his country urgently needs support on the front line, otherwise, the war would be won by Putin.
As expressed by the Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Valeri Zalujni last month, the Russia-Ukraine War has turned into a war of attrition, which is unsustainable for Ukraine. The Western public focusing on Gaza and Israel is also a significant issue for the Ukrainian side. Ukraine’s declaration of support for Israel immediately after the initiation of the operation in Gaza shows the latest polarization in the Palestinian issue. Another reality worrying Zelenski is the upcoming US presidential elections. Joe Biden’s foreign policy moves are increasingly questioned in American politics, where the situation in the Middle East has always been more attention-grabbing. The political agenda in America being occupied by Gaza under these circumstances is inevitable.
Russia’s calls for Israel to stop its operations and accusing the West of “hypocrisy” in the context of Palestine can be seen as an effort to increase its influence and support in the Middle East. According to Russia, while the West accuses Russia of being an occupier in Ukraine, it takes a different stance in Israel. Speaking at a conference in Qatar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the root of the problem is the persistent failure to resolve the status of the State of Palestine. Lavrov, calling on the United Nations to send an observation mission to Gaza, has said that Israel’s attacks on civilians using Hamas as an excuse are unacceptable.7 On October 26, 2023, the meeting of Hamas officials with Russian and Iranian officials in Moscow drew significant reaction from Israel. In this context, it is worth remembering that, unlike Western countries, Russia does not consider Hamas a “terrorist organization.”
Another important move by Russia in the Middle East is Vladimir Putin’s visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Although the main agenda of Putin’s working visit was oil production, US’s pro-Israel policies in the Middle East and the Ukraine Crisis were also discussed. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, two key actors in oil production, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the developments in Gaza. Considering that this visit was Putin’s only foreign visit in the last 8 months apart from his visit to China, it can be said that Russia sees the Palestinian-Israeli issue as an opportunity to strengthen its influence in the Middle East.
In conclusion, the current situation of the Palestine-Israel conflict is helping to parallel Russia’s policies in the Middle East and Ukraine. By accusing the West of hypocrisy in the context of Gaza, Russia is causing the world public opinion to rethink ideas about the Ukraine War, while being pleased with the decreasing attention of Western states to Ukraine. Previously allowing certain maneuvers by Israel in Syria, Russia is now trying to expand its position in the Middle East in response to its isolation from the West due to the Ukraine War.
1 “İsrail’in Gazze’deki Saldırılarında Ölenlerin Sayısı 18 Bin 412’ye Yükseldi”, NTV, https://www.ntv.com.tr/dunya/israilin-gazzedeki-saldirilarinda-olenlerin-sayisi-18-bin-412ye-yukseldi,u43VjrIU7Uicjo6Bxsiopg, (Access Date: 12.12.2023).
2 “Flooding Gaza’s Tunnels with Seawater is War Crime – Russia Warns Israel”, Palestine Chronicle, https://www.palestinechronicle.com/flooding-gazas-tunnels-with-seawater-is-war-crime-russia-warns-israel/, (Access Date: 12.12.2023).
3 “ABD’den Gazze’de Acil Ateşkese Veto: “Maalesef Destekleyemedik”, NTV, https://t.ly/hsBHT, (Access Date: 12.12.2023).
4 “Rusya: Gazze’deki Saldırı Açıkça Savaş Suçudur”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/rusya-gazzedeki-saldiri-acikca-savas-sucudur/3024114, (Access Date: 12.12.2023).
5 “ABD Senatosu’ndan İsrail ve Ukrayna’ya Yardım Tasarısına Veto”, Euronews, https://tr.euronews.com/2023/12/07/abd-sanatosundan-israil-ve-ukraynaya-yardim-tasarisina-veto (Access Date: 12.12.2023).
6 Ibıd.
7 “Rusya: İsrail’in Hamas’ı Gerekçe Göstererek Filistin Halkını Toplu Cezalandırması Kabul Edilemez”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/rusya-israilin-hamasi-gerekce-gostererek-filistin-halkini-toplu-cezalandirmasi-kabul-edilemez/3078990, (Access Date: 12.12.2023).
