Russia has long shown support for the terrorist group Hamas and has repeatedly condemned Israel for its response to continuous rocket fire coming out of the Gaza Strip. Moscow views Israel as an occupying power that does not have the right to self-defense and continues to blame the Jewish state for the situation in Gaza. Russia has also provided moral and diplomatic cover to Hamas, openly opposing Israeli military operations against the group. Russia has repeatedly called on Israel to end its air strikes against Hamas targets and has even blocked certain United Nations efforts to strengthen the Israel Defense Forces. Russia inevitably sides with Hamas in its conflict with Israel and has consistently called on both parties to find a peaceful resolution to their dispute.
