The Hamas terror attacks in Israel have divided Soviet mind manufacturers, reflecting a polarized social climate in Russia.
In response to the Hamas problems, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 Israelis, including hundreds of children and adolescents, the Kremlin has been working to project an air of” impartiality.” The establishment of a Palestinian state has been emphasized by Putin and top Russian officials as they reiterate their well-known stance that the Middle East needs” a just and lasting serenity.”
However, the public’s response is very diverse, and the majority of Russian media has disregarded the official position. Instead, Russian media outlets concentrated on the savagery of the Hamas attack, which included the killing of civilians.
This was an unspeakable horror of atrocities— there were 40 baby bodies in a kibbutz completely exterminated in the most brutal way … It is unthinkable, the worst kind of crime ,” the headline of the left-wing, mass-circulation Moscow-based newspaper Moskovky Kimsooletz’s October 11 coverage of” Horror in Israel.”
The television station for the business news Kommersant remarked,” For decades, the Soviet Union one-sidedly supported the Arabs, and it didn’t work out too well.” Perhaps we should keep that in mind now that we are companions with Israel.
According to the Kommersant paper, sales of Israeli-related books have increased by 30 % in Russia since October 7, with books on Israeli history taking second place and those on the Mossad intelligence agency coming in second.
The Arab extremists have been branded as war criminals by some Russian advertising. Given the Kremlin’s power over Russian media and television, this attitude, which was most obvious in the days immediately following the Hamas attack, was probably given tacit approval. Since then, the voice has been somewhat subdued, probably to maintain the appearance of” neutrality.”
This place within a sizable portion of Russian culture is natural given the close ties between Russia and Israel, the broad family reunifications between Russians and Israelis, Israel’s rising appeal as vacation destinations, and the visa-free regime in place between the two nations.
Moreover, there is an underlying prejudice against fundamentalist Muslims that is not explicitly expressed, especially in light of the two Chechen wars and the terrorist attacks on Islamic fundamentalism in Russian cities.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that not everyone in Russia is on Israel’s side. Even though their numbers are declining, some, particularly among the older technology influenced by Soviet-era education, continue to support the Palestinian cause.
Russia has not made any concrete efforts to support the Palestinians, either socially or physically, despite the Kremlin’s official position. While there are political efforts being made to address the issue, Israeli air forces are actually free to operate in Arab airspace and have carried out several airstrikes against Hezbollah targets, including important airports in Damascus and Aleppo, while Russian S-400 and SU-27 aircraft have remained casually stationed in their Syrian bases. This latest strategy might be viewed as a successful way to support Israel.
Why doesn’t Russia help Israel more forcefully and directly? Some Kremlin-related people give two principal explanations.
First of all, despite American sanctions, Moscow is eager to maintain its connection with Iran, which has emerged as a vital ally for Russia in army and arms assistance. This marriage would be in danger if Tel Aviv received any substantial support.
Second, Russia feels degraded by the latest Israeli government’s activities. Israel has given Ukraine significant assistance, including military experts, trainers, and electrical equipment, even though it did not join European sanctions against Russia. This mainly irritates the Kremlin, who sees Israel’s behavior as a betrayal of friendship.
However, it is undeniable that the majority of Russians support Israel in its fight against terrorism, and it’s very possible that they will keep their support for the Palestinians to political cliches.