(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin are currently meeting at the Kremlin. The Prime Minister made the following remarks at the start of their meeting:
"Thank you Mr. President. It is difficult for me to describe to you the depth of my impression from that moving ceremony to mark the victory over Nazism.
We in Israel do not forget for a moment the great sacrifice of the Russian people and the Red Army in the victory over the Nazi monster.
Sitting next to me, between us, was a veteran who was among the liberators of Auschwitz. We will never forget the meaning of your sacrifice, of those soldiers, along with the half a million Jewish soldiers in the Red Army, in ensuring the fate of Russia, of humanity and of our people, the Jewish people.
Neither do we forget the great lesson of the need to stand against a murderous ideology in time. It is unbelievable, but 73 years after the Holocaust, there is a country in the Middle East, Iran, that is calling for the destruction of another six million Jews.
The difference is that today we have a state and I very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss regional problems with you, the attempts as you put it, to resolve the crises, to lift the threats in a prudent and responsible manner.
I conclude and say to you that I am very moved that you invited me to this parade as Prime Minister of Israel, as head of the state of the Jews, and you mentioned the Holocaust of the Jews today. This is additional testimony to the deep ties between our two peoples and I thank you for this."
Following the limited meeting now being held, an expanded meeting with entourages will be held.