Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaving Monday for Moscow, where he is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I will discuss with him various regional developments, enhanced security coordination between the IDF and the Russian military forces in Syria, and a series of issues that are important – very important – for Israel’s security,” Netanyahu said in opening remarks on Sunday at the weekly cabinet meeting.
Over the weekend, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad threatened to attack Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel with Scud missiles if there is one more air strike aimed at Damascus. Assad made the threat during a phone conversation with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, according to a Lebanese newspaper report.
Nearly two weeks ago, Israel attacked the Mezzeh military airport in Damascus, striking weapons warehouses belonging to Hezbollah, according to Syrian opposition sources. There has been deep concern over the establishment of Iranian weapons factories in Syria and Lebanon, which would improve Hezbollah’s ability to launch rockets at Israel.
Netanyahu is also slated to attend the opening of an exhibit on the 1943 Sobibor uprising at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center in Moscow, along with Putin. The exhibit pays tribute to the 170,000 Jews who perished in the concentration camp and those who survived, including those who managed to escape during the uprising. The museum is located within the Chabad-Lubavitch complex in the city.
Nearly a week ago, Putin was praised by Jewish communities around the world for his decision to reschedule his visit to the museum – the largest such Jewish museum in the country – in deference to the Jewish holy Sabbath.
Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, President of the Association of Jewish Communities of Russia, Rabbi Alexander Breda, the ambassadors of numerous countries, community leaders and Holocaust survivors will also be present at the ceremony.