Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Thursday said Russian Israeli friendship will continue to grow, in a letter to President Issac Herzog, on the occasion of Israel's Independence Day.
"The relations between the two countries, which are based on friendship and mutual respect, will continue to grow for the benefit of our people and the security of the Middle East," Putin wrote.
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A man waves Israeli flags as air force planes fly by, Vladimir Putin
(Photo: Reuters)
Other world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chines President Xi Jinping also sent their holiday wishes.
Putin's letter comes days after Jerusalem and Moscow spat over comments made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, claiming Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's Jewish origins do not negate the fact that his government has Nazi elements. "Hitler also had Jewish blood," Lavrov said adding that some of the greatest anti-Semites were Jews.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid both slammed Lavrov for his comments and the Russian Ambassador to Israel was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem for what was described as a meeting of "clarification."
Biden, in his message to Israel said U.S. Israel ties are unbreakable.
" “The partnership between Israel and the United States has been indispensable for the United States, and I believe for Israel as well,” Biden said.
The president said the U.S. was the first to recognize the independence of Israel "just 11 minutes after it was founded," 74 years ago, and the friendship between the two nations continued since.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also sent a message congratulating Israel as it celebrates its independence.
“The bonds between our two countries, based on our shared democratic ideals, are unshakeable,” Blinken said.
“the United States looks forward to continuing our work with Israel to create a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous Middle East, including through building additional bridges between Israel and its neighbors,” he said.