Mr. Putin's visit to Israel, lasting through Friday morning, will include working meetings with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Moshe Katzav, as well as an official tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum and a meeting with Red Army veterans living in Israel. The Russian leader will be arriving at the head of a delegation of more than 200 people, including two ministers in his government.
Putin's official visit to Israel, as well as a subsequent visit to the Palestinian Authority, is part of an increased involvement by Russia in events in the Middle East. In meetings with the Russian entourage, Israel is expected to voice objections to Russia's planned sale of missiles to Syria, as well as Russia's agreement to provide Iran with nuclear fuel.
Putin, for his part, has repeatedly said in the past that the missile deal with Syria will go forward despite Israeli objections, as the weapons system is intended only to defend the Syrian capital. Israel expressed concerns that the missiles would end up in the hands of the terrorist organization Hizbullah, backed by Syria, which has positions overlooking northern Israel. Such a scenario would violate Russian commitments not to sign any weapons deals that can threaten Israel.
As for the nuclear fuel supply agreement with Iran, Putin has said that "Iran is a good friend of ours," explaining that the deal is for civilian use alone. The fuel, as well as the know-how, Russia is to provide Iran, Israel has warned, can be used for the Islamic Republic's nuclear weapons project.
Aside from the serious security concerns Mr. Putin will have to allay, he is bringing with him a gift: a large statue in memory of the Holocaust. The statue, weighing three tons and more than six feet in height, portrays Jewish figures encircled by barbed wire. The statue's base declares in Russian and Hebrew that it is a gift from the Russian people to the people of Israel. It will be formally presented in a ceremony Thursday in the presence of President Katzav and President Putin.
Putin's official visit to Israel, as well as a subsequent visit to the Palestinian Authority, is part of an increased involvement by Russia in events in the Middle East. In meetings with the Russian entourage, Israel is expected to voice objections to Russia's planned sale of missiles to Syria, as well as Russia's agreement to provide Iran with nuclear fuel.
Putin, for his part, has repeatedly said in the past that the missile deal with Syria will go forward despite Israeli objections, as the weapons system is intended only to defend the Syrian capital. Israel expressed concerns that the missiles would end up in the hands of the terrorist organization Hizbullah, backed by Syria, which has positions overlooking northern Israel. Such a scenario would violate Russian commitments not to sign any weapons deals that can threaten Israel.
As for the nuclear fuel supply agreement with Iran, Putin has said that "Iran is a good friend of ours," explaining that the deal is for civilian use alone. The fuel, as well as the know-how, Russia is to provide Iran, Israel has warned, can be used for the Islamic Republic's nuclear weapons project.
Aside from the serious security concerns Mr. Putin will have to allay, he is bringing with him a gift: a large statue in memory of the Holocaust. The statue, weighing three tons and more than six feet in height, portrays Jewish figures encircled by barbed wire. The statue's base declares in Russian and Hebrew that it is a gift from the Russian people to the people of Israel. It will be formally presented in a ceremony Thursday in the presence of President Katzav and President Putin.