Russia: Hamas and Hezbollah Aren't Terrorist Organizations. We Have No Objections in Principle.
In Russia, terrorist organizations are only those organizations that are really unpopular. If you're a popular terrorist organization, then you get to be a political party:
The International Terrorism top official at the FSB (ex-KGB) told reporters that Hezbollah and Hamas aren't considered terrorist by Russia as they actively take part in their country's politics. Indeed, Russia delivered a list of 17 groups it designates as terrorists. As the United States considers both groups as being terrorist and still puts on the pressure on the European Union to list Hezbollah as terrorist group too, Russia says the two groups aren't a threat to the world and are no threat for Russia's national security. Most groups listed as terrorist by Russia are Chechnya-based or operate in Central Asia... Russia has cordial relations with Hamas which leaders have met with President Putin earlier this year.
Again, we have no objection in principle to the idea that Hamas and Hezbollah represent the governments of the Palestinian Authority and Lebanon, respectively. We just insist that the logic be followed to its obvious conclusion: that the attack and kidnapping of Israeli soldiers on sovereign Israeli land constitute acts of war, and that Israel is fully within its rights to launch such war until the other side sues for peace. So no more of this nonsense about "proportionate" or "disproportionate" "retaliation". When you're fighting terrorists, you retaliate. When you fight a war, you attack with everything short of war crimes - and you keep attacking until the other side surrenders.
(hat tip: Esther)
The International Terrorism top official at the FSB (ex-KGB) told reporters that Hezbollah and Hamas aren't considered terrorist by Russia as they actively take part in their country's politics. Indeed, Russia delivered a list of 17 groups it designates as terrorists. As the United States considers both groups as being terrorist and still puts on the pressure on the European Union to list Hezbollah as terrorist group too, Russia says the two groups aren't a threat to the world and are no threat for Russia's national security. Most groups listed as terrorist by Russia are Chechnya-based or operate in Central Asia... Russia has cordial relations with Hamas which leaders have met with President Putin earlier this year.
Again, we have no objection in principle to the idea that Hamas and Hezbollah represent the governments of the Palestinian Authority and Lebanon, respectively. We just insist that the logic be followed to its obvious conclusion: that the attack and kidnapping of Israeli soldiers on sovereign Israeli land constitute acts of war, and that Israel is fully within its rights to launch such war until the other side sues for peace. So no more of this nonsense about "proportionate" or "disproportionate" "retaliation". When you're fighting terrorists, you retaliate. When you fight a war, you attack with everything short of war crimes - and you keep attacking until the other side surrenders.
(hat tip: Esther)
