The Russian Foreign Ministry announced plans to summon Israeli Ambassador Simona Halperin following her controversial public statements.
According to the ministry, Halperin’s comments in an interview with Kommersant misrepresented Russia’s foreign policy and historical events.
The ministry criticized the ambassador’s remarks as an unfortunate start to her diplomatic role, which should focus on fostering positive bilateral relations.
Furthermore, the ministry expressed particular displeasure with Halperin’s disrespectful remarks regarding Russia’s efforts in hostage negotiations.
“Statements that the Holocaust was the extermination of Jewish people alone contradict the resolution of the UN General Assembly,” the agency said.
The ministry concluded: “While the reflections on the necessity of changing, as Halperin put it, Russia’s ‘state calendar’ border on meddling in the country’s internal affairs.”
Earlier on Monday, France called the Russian ambassador due to the killing of two French aid workers in a Russian attack in Ukraine and what France claims is a rise in Russian disinformation efforts.
The attack, which occurred on February 1st in Ukraine’s Kherson region, involved a Russian drone and resulted in two French volunteers’ deaths and injuries to three others.
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne has labeled the attack a “barbaric act.”
Relations between France and Russia, already tense due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, have worsened as France has stepped up its support for Ukraine, including a pledge to supply additional long-range missiles.
France has consistently accused Russia of disseminating misinformation and has recently refuted claims of French mercenaries in Ukraine following a Russian legislative declaration.
Additionally, France has dismissed Russian President Putin’s allegations about the origins of missiles that shot down a Russian aircraft carrying Ukrainian POWs.
