Cabinet ministers were summoned Tuesday evening to an urgent meeting amid intensive talks between top Israeli and Russian officials on a humanitarian issue pertaining to Syria.
Earlier on Tuesday, some ministers were told that the meeting, whose details have been put under embargo by the IDF Military Censor, revolved around a "sensitive security issue."
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Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
(Photo: Reuters, Kobi Koankes)
Also on Tuesday, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alex Ben Zvi met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
The Russian Foreign Ministry relayed that the diplomats exchanged their views on key issues in the Middle East, with an emphasis on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The two also discussed current issues on the Russian-Israeli bilateral agenda.
Ben Zvi also met with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu last week.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also spoke with Shoygu last week and his office said the two "agreed to continue the important dialogue between Russia and Israel in order to maintain the security of their troops, as well as the need to promote humanitarian measures in the area."
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in January 2020
(Photo: Reuters)
Earlier in the month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the two leaders discussed the ongoing security cooperation between the countries among other regional matters.
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi also had a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Ashkenazi said that Russia has a vital role to play in preventing Iran's progression towards nuclear capability as well as its efforts of entrenchment in the region.