Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz has welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at Ben-Gurion Airport, ahead of Putin's participation in the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem.
Katz cited the role of the Red Army in the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of the death camps, including Auschwitz, saying on a personal note that thanks to the Red Army, his mother was saved and emigrated to Israel, where she raised her family. He added, "Your visit to Israel will contribute to strengthening the friendship between Russia and Israel and will allow us to deepen our diverse ties and discuss the security challenges facing Israel in the Middle East."