Netanyahu on His Way to Russia

The summit in Paris on Friday meant to set the stage for what many Israelis feared would be a dictat by the international community for Israel to take steps detrimental for its security ended with a relatively mild statement Friday. The meeting of officials from 29 governments, the UN, EU and other international agencies produced only a brief official statement which analysts said mostly reiterated past statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein’s office announced over the weekend that parliamentarians from several world governments had sent him their assurances that they support for Jerusalem as the Jewish state’s undivided capital, in a letter sent in honor of Jerusalem Day. The letters, sent by the leadership of Israel Allies Caucuses in 20 countries, were sent in response to efforts to pressure Israel to make territorial concessions in the capital, according to Jordanna McMillan, Israel Allies Foundation director of outreach and communications.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday that he will be traveling to Moscow on Tuesday for his fourth meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the last year. The meeting, part of a visit meant to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Russia, is expected to focus on traditional issues such as the immigration of Russian Jews as well as economic cooperation strategic issues in the Middle East.

Iranian officials issued angry statements Sunday in reaction to the annual U.S. State Department report on terrorism which said, among other things, that Iran continues to be the world’s “foremost state sponsor of terrorism in 2015”. In related news, a report this week by Reuters indicates that Saudi Arabia has expanded its worldwide efforts to counter Iran in reaction to what Riyadh perceives as a lack of interest in the issue by the US.