Putin, Netanyahu meet
JERUSALEM: Russian president Vladimir Putin reinforced ties with Israel on a Thursday visit to Jerusalem, even as his country bolsters its influence in the Middle East.
Russia has maintained close relations with Israel, despite backing rival Syrian and Iranian forces in war-torn Syria, which borders Israel.
Putin told the Israeli leader that he was confident the visit would support the “development of our bilateral relations,” emphasizing that the greater mission for the day was to “remember the victims of the Holocaust,” according to a Kremlin statement.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had strong praise for Putin during his visit to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
“Thank you for the strong relations between Russia and Israel, which serves our peoples and our countries as well as peace and stability in the region,” Netanyahu said.
Putin was to travel to Bethlehem later to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Russia has been promoting itself in recent years as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinian authorities.
The Holocaust memorial ceremonies in Jerusalem were to be attended by about 40 world leaders. Israel has touted the proceedings as the “biggest political event” for its country since it was formed following World War II.
Putin also attended the inauguration of a monument in Israel dedicated to the victims of the Siege of Leningrad in which hundreds of thousands died.
His talks with Netanyahu were expected to broach Iranian military involvement in Syria, as Israel has opposed Iran getting a foothold near its border. Putin and Netanyahu were also to discuss Russia pardoning an Israeli woman jailed last year on a drug-smuggling charge.
The leaders met the woman’s mother in Jerusalem.
Naama Issachar was found in possession of 9.6g of marijuana at a Moscow airport for a connecting flight from India to Israel last year. She was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. Israel denounced the punishment as excessive. Netanyahu has called for her to be released.