On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, as the Israelis call it, or the October War, as it is known in Arab countries, a new round of Arab-Israeli confrontation began. The Palestinian Hamas movement called on Palestinians living in Israel and neighbouring countries to join the “third intifada” (the struggle for the separation of Palestine from Israel). Israeli authorities put the country in a state of war and announced the mobilisation of reservists. The United States was the first to support Israel and sent military equipment and ammunition to the conflict zone. The US was soon joined by France, Germany, Britain, the UAE and Ukraine. The Palestinians, in turn, got the support of Iran, Qatar, Oman and Yemen.
Russia is calling for a ceasefire and is committed to its consistent position in favour of the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem. In order to resolve the conflict, Russian diplomats are in contact with Israel, Palestine, Egypt and other Arab countries. According to the Russian Embassy in Israel, two Russians were killed in the Hamas attack and four are listed as missing.
How does the escalation of the conflict threaten international security? What has led to it? How will it affect the agreements reached in recent years between Israel and Arab countries? What countries could be involved in the conflict? What role can Russia play in the peace settlement? Participants in the discussion will try to answer these and other questions.