The Kremlin: Putin is expected to discuss Netanyahu's pardon with Naama Issachar during his visit
After reports that the Russian president will announce that he will pardon the Israeli young woman upon arrival in Israel this week, Moscow said the two leaders will discuss the issue. However, the Kremlin spokesman declined to provide further details. In the background of optimism in Jerusalem for her daughter's return to Israel, Yaffe Issachar met with Netanyahu and the head of the NSC
The Kremlin: Putin is expected to discuss Netanyahu's pardon with Naama Issachar during his visit
Photo: Niv Aharonson, Editing: Asaf Drury and Tal ReznikThe Kremlin announced on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to discuss with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel this week about Naama Issachar's pardon. At the same time, Kremlin spokesman Demetriy Pskov refused to provide details on the chances of the release of the Israeli young woman serving a sentence of 7.5 years in Russia.
Putin will come to Israel on Thursday as part of a delegation of dozens more leaders to attend the World Holocaust Forum, hosted by State President Reuben Rivlin on Wednesday through Friday. Ahead of the decisive decision regarding her daughter, Yaffe Issachar returned to Israel yesterday and today, she and other family members have met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Brigadier General Meir Ben Shabbat.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Equality, Gamliel revealed that he will meet in Tel Aviv tomorrow with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister and President Putin's adviser to the Middle East, Michael Bogdanov. The two met in Moscow last week, discussing Issachar's case.
When she landed yesterday, Yaffe Issachar said that "the moment of truth has arrived. This week we will know when it will be released." The mother further added that "It's not an easy week, and if there are any surprises I'll go get her." Issachar sought to strengthen the prime minister and Russian president, stating that she "believes he will bring her back as soon as possible."
Read more on the subject
Yaffa Issachar from Russia: The Moment of Truth Has Come, This Week We'll Know When Naama Releases Netanyahu After Reporting for Pardon to Naama Issachar: "Feel Putin Has Willingness to Solve" Report in Russia: Putin May Grant Pardon to Naama IssacharIssachar at court hearing in Russia (Photo: Image Bank GettyImages)
Naama Issachar at a Moscow court hearing, Russia, December 19, 2019 (Photo: AFP, GettyImages)
Last week, the Kommersant newspaper reported that officials in the Russian government did not rule out the possibility that Issachar might receive a pardon for the president's visit to the country. The officials were angry that Israel did not respond to Russia's request to extradite Russian hacker Alexei Burkov, who was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport in 2015. "I would like to see it as a two-way road," one of the officials explained.
After the report, Netanyahu spoke with Putin and expressed optimism. "Feels that there is a real willingness to come to a solution," he said at the opening of the cabinet meeting yesterday. He added that "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."
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To the full articleAre expected to discuss pardon this week. Netanyahu and Putin, September (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, September 12, 2019 (Photo: Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, Government Press Office)
Earlier today, Paskov announced that Putin would meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas this week.
(First Update: 14:41)
