Russian authorities quell protest against Israeli aggression on Gaza

MOSCOW, (PIC)-- Russian authorities unexpectedly detained about 40 people after a peaceful protest outside the Israeli embassy in Moscow demanding an end to Israel's military offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip. Despite the arrests, Russian policemen, who had to fulfill orders to break up the demonstration, expressed their sympathy with the protesters, but they seemed not to know for sure if the protest was illegal or not. The protest demo was approved by Moscow authorities several days ago, but later it was announced without any reason that such gatherings were not authorized. During the protest, the police banned journalist work and even arrested people for giving interviews to the media. The paradox of this situation is that the Russian government has expressed more than once its solidarity with the Palestinian people. Minister of forign affairs Sergey Lavrov made a phone call few days ago with Hamas political leader Khaled Mishaal and promised to provide Gaza with humanitarian aid in the shortest term. Two Russian planes also loaded with different relief supplies had already landed in Egypt to be transported and delivered later by the Red Cross.