Putin arrives in Israel

TEL AVIV - Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Israel Wednesday marking the beginning of a historic trip to Israel. Upon his arrival, Putin made an unplanned stop at the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in East Jerusalem. Putin is the first Russian leader to visit the country since its establishment. His plane landed in Ben Gurion International Airport and he is set to continue on to Jerusalem. His visit comes amid growing tensions between the two countries over a missile deal with Syria, military aid to Iran, and growing anti-Semitism in Russia. Meanwhile, Putin has proposed to hold a Middle East peace conference in Moscow in the fall. However, sources in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s office said Israel would not attend a peace conference held under international auspices. “We only want American involvement, not other actors,” one official said. Meeting in Cairo Putin arrived in Israel from Egypt accompanied by dozens of Russian business figures and government officials. In the next two days, he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Moshe Katsav. The Russian leader is also expected to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum. Once he completes his Israel visit, Putin is scheduled to visit the Palestinian Authority. During his Thursday meeting with Sharon, who has become a personal friend by now, the Russian president is likely to be faced with Israeli concerns regarding Russian nuclear cooperation with Iran and the contentious missile sale to Syria. Israel concerned about Russian anti-Semitism As was the case during Sharon's recent visit to the United States, the prime minister is again expected to present maps and intelligence reports on the Iranian nuclear program and the dangers inherent in Russian assistance to the project. The Russians, however, have faced Israeli and American demands on the matter in the past, but have refrained from taking action. Recently, Putin declared that Iran should not be prevented from benefiting from atomic energy. Therefore, it is unlikely the upcoming visit would change the Russian stance on the question at this time. Meanwhile, Sharon is also expected to demand that Putin take action against growing anti-Semitism in Russia. "We are following with concern the fact that only recently, 5,000 Russian intellectuals signed a petition against the Jewish religion," one official said. On his part, Putin is expected to raise the issue of Russian "oligarchs" who live in Israel, particularly those wanted by Moscow over suspicions of criminal activity, dubious business deals, and large-scale tax evasion. In what was perhaps a strategic move on the part of the Russians, a Moscow court abruptly postponed the verdict for Yukos oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky by nearly three weeks. Political analysts estimated Putin would offer Sharon a deal whereby Khodorkovsky would be released in exchange for increased Russian involvement in peace Mideast peace process. While the Russian media has estimated the chances Israel would accept such a deal are slim due to Israel’s commitment to the U.S. and Russia’s traditional support of Arab countries, a senior Moscow TV station analyst said if Putin would agree to decrease Russian support for Iran, Israel may permit Moscow to increase its contribution to the Mideast peace process.

Putin arrives in Israel

Russian leader lands in Israel after visiting Egypt - makes unexpected stop at Western Wall; offers to host Mideast peace conference in Moscow; Sources at Prime Minister's Office say Israel would only accept American involvement