Netanyahu Putin

Issachar’s mother Yafa arrived at the prison Tuesday morning but was told that a visit to Naama last week by the Israeli consul had come at the expense of a visit by her mother.

Netanyahu said that he had "an excellent meeting with Russian Defense Minister Shoigu, and afterwards a long and private meeting with Putin."

Netanyahu last met Putin in April, five days before the previous election, when he thanked the Russian president for assistance in returning the remains of IDF Sgt. Zachary Baumel to Israel.

Following the Israeli elections, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar hopes that Israel-Russia relations will improve.

"It is critical that we continue to deny Iran establishing a base in Syria."

The two men spoke in advance of a visit to Israel and Turkey this weekend by National Security Advisor John Bolton to discuss the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.

In Syria, the Russians maintain the principle of “reasonable employment.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov are scheduled to meet Netanyahu in Jerusalem later in the day.

Trump said that he and Putin had reached a “really good conclusion” for Israel in regard to the situation in Syria.

Putin “is a believer in Israel. He is a fan of Bibi, really helping him a lot and will hep him a lot, which is good for all of us,” Trump said.

There, at a news conference being watched by the whole world, both leaders – both! – acknowledged Israel’s security concerns in Syria and the need to address them.