The Russian leader also expressed his commitment to combat increasing anti-Semitism in Russia. At the meeting, held at the Israeli president's Jerusalem residence, President Katzav and President Putin signed a statement calling for increased peacemaking efforts in the region.
Mr. Putin was then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's guest, with the two leaders meeting to discuss bilateral relations, as well as Israeli objections
to Russia's planned sale of missiles to Syria, as well as Russia's agreement to provide Iran with nuclear fuel.
Mr. Putin's official visit to Israel, the first such visit by a Russian premier, and his planned visit Friday to the Palestinian Authority, are part of an increased involvement by Russia in events in the Middle East.
Before arriving in Israel, during a joint press conference in Cairo with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Putin proposed a regional summit to be held in Moscow later this year. It would be, he said, a "conference for all those countries concerned" with Middle East peace negotiations, including the "Quartet" (Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union).
An Israeli spokesperson, however, quickly rejected the idea, saying, "The position of Israel is against international interference in the Arab-Israeli conflict." Palestinian Authority (PA) minister Saeb Erakat endorsed the proposal.
Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated today, in an early morning IDF Radio interview, that President Putin is genuinely interested in a solid relationship with Israel. Olmert said that in his meeting last night with Putin, the Russian president explained that he is seeking an active and strong relationship with Israel.
Asked about Russia's insistence on moving forward with the controversial Syrian missile deal over strenuous Israeli objections, Olmert declined comment, saying the subject was not raised during his meeting with Mr. Putin. Olmert also tried to downplay the significance of the deal, by pointing out that Russia is not the only country selling weapons to Syria and other Arab or Islamic states.
Touching on a very different aspect of Israel-Russia relations, Knesset Member Roman Bronfman (Meretz/Yahad) demanded that Israel press President Putin to pay out millions of dollars in pension payments to Russians who moved to Israel before the formal breakup of the Soviet Union. Bronfman said Russia is violating a pension payment treaty that it signed in 1998. Russia has paid pensions only to Israeli immigrants with Russian citizenship, while ignoring the majority of the former citizens of the now-defunct Soviet Union.
Mr. Putin was then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's guest, with the two leaders meeting to discuss bilateral relations, as well as Israeli objections
Mr. Putin's official visit to Israel, the first such visit by a Russian premier, and his planned visit Friday to the Palestinian Authority, are part of an increased involvement by Russia in events in the Middle East.
An Israeli spokesperson, however, quickly rejected the idea, saying, "The position of Israel is against international interference in the Arab-Israeli conflict." Palestinian Authority (PA) minister Saeb Erakat endorsed the proposal.
Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated today, in an early morning IDF Radio interview, that President Putin is genuinely interested in a solid relationship with Israel. Olmert said that in his meeting last night with Putin, the Russian president explained that he is seeking an active and strong relationship with Israel.
Asked about Russia's insistence on moving forward with the controversial Syrian missile deal over strenuous Israeli objections, Olmert declined comment, saying the subject was not raised during his meeting with Mr. Putin. Olmert also tried to downplay the significance of the deal, by pointing out that Russia is not the only country selling weapons to Syria and other Arab or Islamic states.
Touching on a very different aspect of Israel-Russia relations, Knesset Member Roman Bronfman (Meretz/Yahad) demanded that Israel press President Putin to pay out millions of dollars in pension payments to Russians who moved to Israel before the formal breakup of the Soviet Union. Bronfman said Russia is violating a pension payment treaty that it signed in 1998. Russia has paid pensions only to Israeli immigrants with Russian citizenship, while ignoring the majority of the former citizens of the now-defunct Soviet Union.