Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Binyamin NetanyahuYonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opened his weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday with a eulogy for Israel's fifth president, Yitzhak Navon. 

"The late Yitzhak Navon, Israel's fifth president, will be laid to rest today.  He was one of the nation's finest and among its greatest builders," Netanyahu said. 

"Yitzhak Navon, the scion of the glorious Sephardic Jewish community, dedicated his life to public action on behalf of the people of Israel and the State of Israel. A Haganah veteran, he participated in the war that established the Jewish state and, after independence was achieved, made an outstanding contribution to the diplomatic service and the work of the government."

"Israel's heritage was his guiding principle, especially the heritage of Sephardic Jewish communities, and he also worked to advance this heritage among all parts of the nation as deputy prime minister, minister of education and culture and, of course, as president."

"I will always remember the eloquence of his spoken Hebrew," Netanyahu continued. "The love of Jerusalem was deeply embedded in his heart; this was the city in which he grew up and lived, and wrote books to which he was deeply linked.

"He will be remembered as a president who brought people together; his memory will be enshrined in the heart of the nation."

Netanyahu then remarked upon his upcoming trip to the United States, noting he will fly to Washington to meet with US President Barack Obama immediately after Navon's funeral. 

"My conversation with the president will center on recent events in the Middle East, including in Syria, possible progress with the Palestinians, or at least stabilizing the situation with them, and, of course, strengthening the security of the State of Israel"

The US has always been committed to "maintaining the qualitative advantage of Israel in the face of a changing Middle East," he added. 

"I believe this meeting is important to clarify the continuation of American aid to Israel in the coming decade," Netanyahu explained. "It will be another step toward realizing an understanding in this direction."

"I will also meet with US Jewish communities at their annual conference, and with many other American public figures."