Hamas attack exposes deteriorating ties between Russia and Israel

Vladimir Putin fails to condemn attack on Israel, instead blaming the situation on failed US diplomacy

Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has long portrayed himself as a friend of Vladimir Putin. In a memoir published during Russia's war on Ukraine, Netanyahu repeatedly lauded the Russian leader for his intellect and his particularly friendly attitude" toward the Jewish people.

Putin, too, has over the years cast himself as a loyal ally of the Israeli state, promoting cultural ties and visa-free travel between the two countries.