Israelis warn: Putin 'dances with wolves'

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert . . . was disappointed by Putin's invitation to Hamas leaders . . .

Housing Minister Zeev Boim told Ynet that "Putin . . . is dancing with wolves and displaying double standards – on the one hand fighting the Chechen Muslim rebels, who are carrying out terror attacks in Russia, and on the other hand embracing Ayatollahs in Iran and terror representatives from Gaza."

"One must only wonder how Putin would feel if we would recognize a state led by the Chechen rebels. Russia must decide on its place among the free world states. After supporting Iran and Syria, it continues to reveal a very concerning position."

As you know, you're either with us (US + Israel) or against us.

Foreign Ministry officials were shocked by Putin's remarks. A ministry official said that only three weeks ago . . . the Russian Foreign Ministry issues a statement saying that "regardless of the election results, all the Palestinian participants in the election procedure should honor principles of settling the conflict through peaceful means, as determined in the Road Map."

That doesn't sound inconsistent with the invitation Putin extended to Hamas.

[Nevertheless,] Putin's offer brought a sharp reaction also from the United States

. . . who then parroted the Israeli suggestion that Chechen rebels be officially recognized. Pure coincidence, of course.

[Washington] will demand clarifications from Russia about its intention to invite Hamas leaders for talks in Moscow...

"As a member of the quartet, we would certainly expect that Russia would deliver that same message," he said. [or else]

[Washington said] the invitation issued by Putin to Hamas leaders contradicts the Americans' efforts in the global war against terror.

(Chorus) you're either with us or against us.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Williams Burns, who is very involved in the Israeli-Palestinian issue,[surprise, surprise] was asked to pass the Americans' protest to Putin and to act to change the decision.

This is getting very complicated. The orange revolution and Russia's recent gas stand off with Ukraine comes to mind. There's more to this than meets the eye.