Netanyahu, after reporting pardon for Naama Issachar: "Feel Putin has a willingness to come to a solution"

In light of reports of the Russian president's intention to pardon the Israeli young woman, the prime minister said he was "much more optimistic" after talking to him. "I can't elaborate, but we'll continue to do everything to bring Naama home." Putin will be visiting Israel next week

Netanyahu, after reporting pardon for Naama Issachar: "Feel Putin has a willingness to come to a solution"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he was "much more optimistic" about the release of Naama Issachar, the Israeli young woman who is serving a prison sentence in Russia. Netanyahu, who spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin last night, said he felt "he has a genuine willingness to come to a solution."

"I cannot elaborate, but we will continue to do everything to bring Naama home. Until then, we will continue to strengthen her family and her," Netanyahu added. His remarks come against the backdrop of Russian media reports of Putin's intention to grant amnesty to Yishker as a humanitarian gesture in preparation for his visit to Israel.

According to a report published yesterday in the Kommersant newspaper, officials in the Russian government do not rule out the possibility that Shachar will receive a pardon on Putin's visit. At the same time, the officials expressed resentment that Israel did not respond to Russia's request to extradite Russian hacker Alexei Burkov, who was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport in 2015.

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"Much more optimistic." Netanyahu with Putin, September (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Farewell to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, September 12, 2019 (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom GPO, Government Press Office)

Last November, Israel extradited Burkov to the United States, where he was wanted for cyber crimes. "I would like to see it as a two-way road," one of the officials explained. They did not rule out the possibility that Issachar's release would be made for humanitarian reasons.

Putin is expected to visit Israel next week for a one-day visit to the World Holocaust Forum, which President Reuben Rivlin will host next week at Yad Vashem. Yesterday, after talking to him, Netanyahu said the conversation "reinforced the optimism" that is moving toward a solution to its release. Netanyahu's additional remarks reflect the optimism in Jerusalem that will soon bring Issachar back to Israel.

Last night, said mother Yaffe Issachar: "I am now optimistic and sincerely ask the Russian President to act as a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people and as a world power leader and to release my soul back to her home in Israel."

In Russia, Putin has been reported intent on pardoning her. Naama Issachar (Photo: AFP)

Naama Issachar at a Moscow court hearing, Russia, December 19, 2019 (Photo: AFP, GettyImages)

Minister Gilmael, who is on a working visit to Moscow on Naama Issachar's visit to Moscow, met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Bogdanov, Russia's Chief Rabbi Shlomo Lazar and Yaffe Issachar yesterday, and sent messages to the Kremlin to act for pardon for humanitarian gesture. Bogdanov and Rabbi Lazar are considered close associates of President Putin, and in Jerusalem hope they can give positive opinions and advice on the president.

Issachar was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison after being caught with a cannabis at Moscow Airport, and last month the appeal she filed for the sentence was dismissed. On Monday, Netanyahu sent a personal letter to Yishker, stating, among other things, "We are not abandoning anyone to his fate, and so is your case. The State of Israel and I are making constant efforts to release you."

Naama Issachar was taken back to Moscow prison from where she was unexpectedly transferred