The Russian Embassy in Israel was “embarrassed” to publish the text of Putin’s gratitude to Hamas in its official statement; a piece of the text was simply cut out – why would that be?

On April 16, 2025, the president of Russia “met” with former Israeli hostage Sasha Trufanov, who was released from captivity by Hamas.

During the meeting, Putin stated that it is necessary to express gratitude to the “leadership of Hamas for going along with us and carrying out this humanitarian act”.

However, the Russian embassy in Israel in its official message on Telegram decided to cut out this fragment of the text, hiding the mention of gratitude to Hamas. Why did Russian diplomacy decide to “hide” these words from Israelis?

Maybe they think that in Israel, just like in their own country, they can attach any nonsense to the ears of the people?

Or maybe they’re just embarrassed? Maybe they really think that they can spread lies without anyone noticing?

The Russian Embassy in Israel: What is Diplomacy Hiding?

Let’s figure out why the Russian embassy in Israel, with its experience of manipulation in internal channels, decided to cut out the gratitude to Hamas. The answer to this question is actually simple: Russian diplomacy is used to the fact that inside the country they can “stick nonsense” to the people and present absurd things as “normal”. In Russia, they have long been making terrorists “partners” and feeding their audience stories about “humanitarian acts” where the aggressor becomes a hero. And they thought this would work with Israelis as well.

Diplomats probably thought that Israelis wouldn’t notice the manipulation, or, as it often happens in Russia, they would just “understand” and stay silent. Well, why not?

This is Israel, which, given Putin’s aggression against Ukraine, was supposed to just “shrug” and accept this rhetoric. Or is that so? However, it seems that Israelis are not as naive as Russian diplomacy assumes.

If we look at the facts, the Russian embassy not only cut out the gratitude to Hamas. This is an acknowledgment that they expect to manipulate Israeli perceptions and avoid real consequences. Apparently, in Moscow, they think their Israeli colleagues will treat a “humanitarian act” and a public justification of terrorists as something ordinary and acceptable. After all, in Russia, they’ve long been used to doing any atrocities and not being questioned.

Concealing Facts and Manipulation

When the Russian embassy decides to hide the fact of gratitude to a terrorist organization, it’s not just diplomacy, but an obvious attempt to conceal the real state of affairs. Hamas, which held people hostage for many months, now receives gratitude for “going along” and “releasing” a person who was their hostage. This is not humanitarianism; it’s political manipulation.

But the Russian embassy apparently decided that Israelis, like any other audience, would perceive such actions with understanding — well, what can they do — and simply hold back their criticism.

Putin in Lowercase, but with Greater Significance

Putin constantly fuels support for terrorism and undermines the foundations of international diplomacy. The Russian embassy in Israel, as its loyal representative, decided that Israelis would not pay attention to how supporting terrorists has become part of Russia’s foreign policy. When terrorists turn into “partners,” and violence into a “humanitarian act,” it undermines the very essence of international relations.

Israel’s Silence: A Diplomatic Move or Betrayal?

Israel has not yet taken serious steps in response to Russia’s manipulations. Why the silence? Perhaps Israel doesn’t want to raise a wave on the diplomatic level, preferring to resolve the issue with Russia more quietly and discreetly. But every silence in such cases only strengthens Russia’s position. The strategy of silence seems to yield no results, and Israel must clearly define its stance on such actions.

Analysis: When Terrorists Are Thanked — It’s Not Diplomacy, It’s Propaganda

The rhetoric, where the release of hostages is presented as a “humanitarian act” by those who kept them captive. Phrases like “went along with us,” “showed goodwill,” “we should thank them” may seem externally neutral. But in fact — this is one of the most dangerous tools of propaganda.

Reversal of Concepts

When a terrorist organization, which has committed mass killings, kidnappings, and torture, receives public recognition for releasing not its own people, but those it itself kidnapped, this is not a humanitarian act, but a continuation of control. This distortion of cause and effect turns the aggressor into a “partner.”

Humiliation of Victims

When the release of hostages is presented as a “favor” or a “gesture of goodwill,” it devalues the suffering and trauma of those who endured captivity. Victims are placed in an absurd situation, where they are expected to be grateful to those who deprived them of their freedom. This is not just re-traumatization — it’s a new level of violence: symbolic, media-driven, and public.

Legitimization of Violence

If terrorists gain political points for releasing hostages, it undermines the foundations of international relations and makes violence profitable. Each “thank you” for a “humanitarian act” gives the green light to further kidnappings and justifies violence.

Shifting the Focus

The focus in such statements shifts not to the hostages, their suffering, or the guilt of the terrorists, but to the figure who allegedly “achieved” the release. It’s an attempt to redirect attention from violence to politics, from substance to effect. The point of a humanitarian catastrophe turns into a scene of international political bargaining.

Media Game

Such phrases are not just words. They are a controlled signal for the global audience: from Middle Eastern allies to Western observers. This is a way to undermine moral clarity: who is the criminal, who is the victim, who is saving, and who is using the saved.

This narrative is not accidental. It benefits those who play the long game — with confusion, fatigue, and disorientation. In essence, it’s an attempt to shift focus from the crime to the effect, to hide the real meaning of what is happening.

Material prepared fo News of Israel. It is important to continue discussing such events to prevent the distortion of reality and manipulation on the international stage.