Lavrov: Netanyahu does not dare speak against Russia, Gaza war like Ukraine invasion

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appears to praise Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not criticizing the Kremlin, comparing Israel’s war against Hamas to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Asked in an interview with Rossiya 24 if the attacks of October 7 were a false flag to give Israel a pretext to build a canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, Lavrov dismisses the suggestion.

“By the way, Netanyahu said he wants to destroy Hamas, that sounds like demilitarization. And he said extremism in the Strip must be eliminated. Sounds like denazification,” Lavrov says according to a live translation, referencing the two goals of Russia’s so-called “special operation” in Ukraine.

Lavrov expresses dismay over former prime minister Yair Lapid’s stance opposing Russia’s invasion, but indicates that Moscow has had no such trouble from Netanyahu.

“Despite condemnations from around the world, including of course Israel, he finds himself in quite a serious situation, that he never dared to make any statements against Russia,” Lavrov offers.

The foreign minister, who in the past has gotten into hot water by claiming Hitler had Jewish blood and accusing Israel of supporting neo-Nazis, now says that Russian-Israeli ties are founded on the ideal of fighting Nazis.

“It’s the main thing that unites us historically, the basis of our genetic code, if you will,” he says.

Russia has hosted Hamas leaders and expressed sympathy for their cause, while leveling sharp criticism against Israel over the fighting in Gaza and leading calls for a ceasefire.