Putin claims Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and Russophobia are preventing a multi-polar world order
What Putin said about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict at a meeting with religious figures
The President discussed the situation in the Middle East with representatives of Christians, Muslims and Jews
Russian President Vladimir Putin on the eve of the Day of National Unity, which is celebrated on November 4, held a traditional meeting with representatives of religious denominations in the Kremlin. The main theme was the conflict in the Middle East.
Putin stressed that everyone is anxiously following the situation in the Holy Land, which is of sacred importance for Christians, Muslims and Jews. A new round of conflict has already claimed thousands of lives, Putin said, recalling that Russia has experienced and knows what international terrorism is. He expressed condolences to Israelis and citizens of other countries whose loved ones died in the attack on October 7.
"But it is also obvious to us that innocent people should not be responsible for crimes committed by others," the president said. "The fight against terrorism cannot be conducted on the notorious principle of collective responsibility, when the elderly, women, children, entire families are also killed, hundreds of thousands of people are left without shelter, food, water, electricity and medical care. It's a real humanitarian disaster."
After that, the president recalled that Russia's position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is known and based on the decisions of the UN Security Council, which provide for the creation of two independent states - Israel and Palestine. The main task now is to stop the bloodshed, otherwise the escalation of the crisis will lead to devastating consequences that can spill out beyond the borders of the Middle East, he said.
Putin further said that "some forces" are trying to provoke further escalation by dragging as many countries and peoples as possible into the conflict, while playing on national and religious feelings. The purpose of such actions, in his opinion, is instability in the world and provoke a "conflict of civilizations", and in addition - to build a "new world order", the essence of which is "hypocrisy and double standards".
But at the same time, the process of forming a multipolar world is gaining momentum. To stop it, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Russophobia are being used, the president believes. Among the goals of some countries there are those that concern Russia, in particular, they are trying to inflict a strategic defeat on it, Putin said: "They need both the Middle East and any other religious, national conflicts in the world to be directly or indirectly related in one way or another with Russia, or, more precisely, to be beaten on Russia, on our society."
Participants of the meeting with Putin
The meeting with the president was attended by Patriarch Kirill, Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensky, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Relations of the Church with Society and the Media Vladimir Legoyda, Chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims Talgat Tadzhuddin, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Coordination Center of Muslims of the North Caucasus Ismail Berdiev, Head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia Damba Ayusheev, Chief Rabbi of Russia (Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia) Berl Lazar, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia Alexander Boroda, Vice-President of the Congress of Jewish Religious Organizations and Associations Ivan Susaykov, Head of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer evangelical Sergei Ryakhovsky.
Now the leaders of public opinion, party leaders, public associations, governors, pastors of traditional religions are responsible for the future of Russia and should always remember that "interethnic and interreligious harmony is the basis of Russian statehood," Putin said. "Everything else, any other position has an anti-Russian orientation and component," the president stressed. He once again thanked the representatives of the faiths for their position and the development of interethnic relations.
Jerusalem remains a sacred city, a holy land, where the most important events in world history took place, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said at the meeting. According to him, many conflicts are developing in the world now, and the events of recent days are particularly alarming, as Islam and Judaism collide. "It is difficult to say what would have happened in the Middle East if it had not been for Russia's peacekeeping position," said the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to the patriarch, it is necessary to prevent manifestations of hatred on religious grounds in Russia. In Russia, everything is different, because there are no fundamental disagreements between representatives of different confessions, but a lot in common in matters of morality, the patriarch added.
Why are we friends here, help each other, rejoice together, and it's impossible there? Because here we have a wise president who, when he sees what can help friendship, or when he sees a difficult moment, gathers us together
The positions of representatives of all faiths were similar, but with nuances. Chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims Talgat Tajuddin said that they are having a hard time to endure what is happening in the Middle East, while Russia is contributing to the establishment of peace there. According to him, the conflict is based on injustice against the Palestinian people.
He, like the president, spoke about the double standards of some countries, that someone is not satisfied with the multipolar world. Tajuddin called for the cessation of hostilities, the release of the hostages, the holding of negotiations at the highest level, the creation of humanitarian corridors and, in particular, the creation of a single center for the coordination of humanitarian work in Russia. "In Russia, representatives of traditional religions have never conflicted - we recognize one creator, and we have nothing to share in this world, and in eternity - even more so," said the Supreme Mufti in conclusion.
Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar stressed that "national unity is the main thing in Russia," and in many countries people of different faiths cannot even gather at the same table. In Russia, even people do not go to demonstrations, and all over the world such actions are used by extremists, he continued, but still the main task for Russia now is the constant fight against extremism.
Then Lazar moved on to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. "But peace with murderers is impossible by definition. Therefore, when we now mourn the hundreds of innocent victims killed by terrorists on October 7, when we pray for the rescue of more than 200 hostages. And thanks to Mufti Talgat, who said that we should get together and do everything possible so that they can return home. We know that there can be no negotiations with terrorists, especially no compromises," Lazar said.
Russia is an example for the whole world, the rabbi noted: "Why are we friends here, help each other, rejoice together, and there it is impossible? Because here we have a wise president who, when he sees what can help friendship, or when he sees a difficult moment, gathers us together. He concluded his speech by reminding that terrorists are being treated very cruelly in Russia and "the result is there."