Netanyahu's visit to Russia was a failure says "Pravda"

Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin  photo: Reuters
Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin photo: Reuters

"Pravda" says the Russian President ignored the Israeli Prime Minister on the future of Syria and the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Moscow last week and his negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin was reported as a major success in Israel. But according to "Pravda" commentator Said Gafurov, Netanyahu's fourth visit to Russia over the past year has "created the impression of failure."

Russia and Israel have been developing active cooperation recently in the field of culture, trade and customs and education, observes Gafurov. However, he adds, Netanyahu's visit to Moscow does look like a failure from the point of view of foreign policy.

In an official statement for the press, President Putin spoke about the "open" and "constructive" nature of the talks with Netanyahu.

"In the diplomatic world, though," writes Gafurov, "When negotiations are held in a friendly and even neutral fashion, they usually say that the talks were held "in a friendly atmosphere." This is something that we have not heard from the Kremlin this time. In other words, there is no understanding between Russian and Israeli leaders."

He continued, "The main purpose of Netanyahu's visit to Russia was clearly focused on foreign policy issues, such as the regulation of the crisis in Syria and a possible solution to the Palestinian conflict. Israel sees clearly that the civil war in Syria is ending. Netanyahu's visit coincided with a remarkable speech that Bashar al-Assad delivered at the opening session of the newly elected parliament. It is obvious that the question of the end of the war and national reconciliation in Syria is a matter of time. What happens afterwards?"

"One shall assume that there is no understanding between Russia and Israel. Russia has ignored Netanyahu's requirements, for example, to restrict supplies of weapons to Lebanon that Hezbollah fighters could get their hands on. Russia views Hezbollah as one of the most important political parties in Lebanon. Hezbollah is a member of the ruling coalition. Russia follows its principle to supply arms only to legitimate governments. Hezbollah is an important element of the legitimate government of Lebanon. Moscow sees Hezbollah as an essential element of structure of the Middle East."

On the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Gafurov wrote, "In addition, Putin reaffirmed Russia's position for a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and stressed out that Russia was ready to act as a mediator. This came as another slap in the face of Israel, because it is the Palestinians who demand the Palestinian issue should be solved by the international community, while Israel insists on bilateral negotiations between Palestine and Israel."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 13, 2016

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2016

Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin  photo: Reuters
Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin photo: Reuters
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