After Hamas’ brutal October 7th terrorist assault upon the innocent Israeli people, condemnations and statements of support flooded in from Israel’s friends and partners abroad, except for one notable exception: Russia.

Despite the friendly relationship that Vladimir Putin claims he has cultivated with Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, and with Israel, the Russian President was deafeningly silent. Russia’s proxies, however, were anything but silent — they issued anti-Israel statements with varying degrees of virulence. When Vladimir Putin did finally respond, he took the chance to attack the United States, rather than express support for Israel. In light of Vladimir Putin’s visit to the People’s Republic of China, for the Belt and Road forum – which is an important signaling of the continued strength of the Russo-Chinese partnership in the face of the increasing tests of the Russo-Ukrainian war, both Russia and China criticized Israel for its response to the Hamas’ terrorist assault.

Now we find out that Russian citizens are encouraging violence against Israelis inside of Russia, and that “[Russian] police stood by” as mobs converged on planes at Makhachkala Airport, with the intent of attacking Israelis. Also, roving mobs are calling for the killing of Israeli’s, destroying property, and hunting for Jews — in an appalling repetition of the Russian pogroms of the late-19th and early-20th centuries.

Finally, we learn that Russia has welcomed a Hamas delegation earlier this week, treating them as esteemed foreign diplomats, rather than as the terrorists and hostage-takers that they are. This was Hamas’ first official trip abroad since the brutal attack of 7/11, indicating the degree of importance which these terrorists place upon their relationship with Russia, and presumably, with Russia’s proxies. What further proof does Israel need that its “friendship” with Russia was a grotesque mistake?

Logan Williams is a first-generation student at the University of Connecticut studying history with concentrations in Global Affairs and Environmental Studies. As a student, he has pursued research regarding Ukrainian history and national identity, hegemonic theory, the Cold War, and international development/liberalization processes. He is now beginning a career in foreign policy research at The Center for a Free Cuba, a Washington-based human rights organization dedicated to monitoring human rights abuses within Cuba and to advocating for Cuba’s eventual liberalization. His writing has been published in The American Spectator, Geopolitics Magazine, Modern Diplomacy, The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, Democracy Paradox, Diario Las Américas, International Affairs Forum, Fair Observer, etc.