Overview

• Russia's Foreign Ministry will summon Israeli Ambassador Simona Halperin after she criticized Russia's foreign policy and remarks on the Holocaust in a Kommersant interview.
• Halperin accused Russia of downplaying the Holocaust and questioned Moscow's reluctance to condemn Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.
• The ambassador highlighted Israel's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and criticized Russia's stance in the UN as 'absolutely unacceptable' to Israel.
• Halperin's comments were described by the Russian Foreign Ministry as an 'extremely unsuccessful start' to her diplomatic posting, which began in December.
• Despite disagreements, Halperin expressed belief in open dialogue and mentioned joint efforts to free hostages held by Hamas.