WIESENTHAL CENTER: RUSSIA’S SUPPORT FOR LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST HAMAS “DAMAGES THE INTERNATIONAL STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM”

The Simon Wiesenthal Center today condemned the suggestion made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov that international aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority should be resumed.

“As Israel buries three young victims of the latest Palestinian suicide terror attack, the Russian Minister’s suggestion not only mocks the murder of these three innocents but damages the struggle against terrorists throughout the world,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Wiesenthal Center. “Plying Hamas with cash will only further embolden and empower their avowed goal of murdering Israelis and destroying the Jewish nation,” he added.

Rabbi Cooper added Russia’s proposal, “cannot be motivated or justified by humanitarian concerns, because a UN report issued last Friday stated that international aid to Palestinians that bypasses the government actually increased by nearly 10 percent.”

 “It is outrageous that Russia should want to resume funds to the terrorist government even as they continue to seek international support to fight terrorism within its own borders,” concluded Cooper.