Netanyahu takes off for Moscow, will discuss Syria with Putin

Netanyahu told reports it is critical to have collaboration between the Russian and Israeli armies to prevent accidental incidents between them and with Syria.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu en route to Moscow. (photo credit: GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu en route to Moscow.
(photo credit: GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took off for Moscow just after midnight on Wednesday. Before boarding the plane, he reiterated the purpose of his visit was to discuss the situation in Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Netanyahu told reports it is critical to have collaboration between the Russian and Israeli armies to prevent accidental incidents between them and with Syria.
Israeli officials said the meeting with Putin is important not only because it will afford Netanyahu the opportunity to update the Russian leader on Israel’s intentions in Syria, and how it plans to act against Iranian efforts to entrench themselves there, but also because of the perception of the visit.
The meeting with Putin Wednesday in the Kremlin will be a sign that relations between the two countries are back on track following the downing of the Russian intelligence plane in Syria in September that Moscow indirectly blamed on Israel.
 
The prime minister left for Moscow as Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said he will announce a decision regarding indicting Netanyahu in two cases, including one that involves bribery, in the coming days. Netanyahu did not address questions shouted in his direction regarding the pending decision, which is likely to be announced during his visit abroad or immediately after.
Files 1000 and 4000 were closed. 
The State Prosecutor's Office said that an indictment could be filed on case 2000. Mandelblit is reportedly wavering.