Israel is "deeply disappointed" with Russia's decision to maintain ties with Palestinian movement Hamas, ITAR-TASS quoted Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's administration saying in a statement.
The statement said "the meeting between [Russian Foreign Minister] Sergey Lavrov with [Hamas Political Bureau Head] Haled Mashaal seems to be strange against the background of Russian authorities' preparations to hold conference on Middle East in Moscow." Netanyahu's administration said "Hamas has been announced terrorist organization by all international instances including "quartet" of international mediators [EU, UN, Russia and U.S.]."
According to army's radio, the draft statement was originally too sharp, but was later softened due to interference of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is expected to visit Moscow in early June.