BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow yesterday and agreed to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries regarding activities in Syria.

Since the Kremlin’s intervention in Syria, Israel and Russia established a high-level chain of communication, in order to coordinate their respective military operations in and around Syria. In what Netanyahu described as a “successful meeting” with Putin, the two leaders agreed to continue such cooperation. Although Russia has decreased its military presence in Syria during the last month, Russian jets continue to provide support for President Assad’s forces.

Netanyahu said that such coordination would “avoid mishaps, misunderstandings and unnecessary confrontations” between Israeli and Russian militaries. He also explained that it would help Israel “maintain freedom of action for the IDF and the air force in places that are important to us vis-à-vis our security.” He reiterated Israel’s red lines in the region, saying that it would continue “to prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry from Iran and Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon.” Netanyahu recently said publicly for the first time that Israel has taken military action to this end on numerous occasions. He also said that Israel will continue “working to prevent the establishment of an additional terror front against us on the Golan Heights.” Some Israeli commentators reported that the meeting was held against the background of Russian fighter reportedly firing at Israel Air Force aircraft on at least two occasions.

On Sunday, Netanyahu declared that the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli control. It is thought Israeli concerns exist that the contested area’s status will come under discussion in the context of Syrian peace talks. Yesterday, Netanyahu reiterated that “we will not go back to the days when they [Syria] fired at our communities and at our children from atop the Heights,” before the Six Day War in 1967 and that “Therefore, with or without an agreement, the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli sovereignty.”

Netanyahu also said that he plans to visit Moscow once again on 7 June to mark 25 years of relations between Israel and Russia.