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Vladimir Putin met with Jaffa Issachar, the mother of Israeli citizen Naama Issachar who was sentenced in Russia, and with the Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine Theophilos III. Benjamin Netanyahu was also present at the meeting, which took place in the Prime Minister’s residence.

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Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (retranslated): I would like to welcome our very dear friend, the President of the Russian Federation.

My wife Sara and I are delighted to see you at our residence here in Jerusalem and we would like to thank you for the warm and bold ties that maintain the friendly relations between our countries and the world.

Once again, welcome you to Jerusalem.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

Mr Prime Minister, colleagues,

I would like to thank you for the invitation.

We are working on a regular basis and very actively with the Prime Minister. We have been in talks regarding this visit to Israel for a long time. I am quite sure that this will benefit the development of our bilateral relations. And, of course, all of us have a huge mission today, that of remembering the victims of the Holocaust.

Mr Prime Minister, I would like to thank you and your wife Sara. Thank you for your invitation and for your hospitality.

Benjamin Netanyahu: Thank you.

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Statements following the meeting:

Benjamin Netanyahu: We have just completed a good meeting with the President of the Russian Federation. At the end of our talks, the President of Russia agreed to meet with Yafa, the mother of Naama Issachar. Mr President, I am very grateful to you.

Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, friends,

Indeed, I have just met with Naama’s mother. I realise that Naama comes from a good and very decent family. And I know the position of the Prime Minister who is asking us to make the relevant decisions. It goes without saying that all this will be taken into account, while making the final decision.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation is visiting Naama today. I can see that her mother is very worried. I have told her, and I want to repeat that everything will be all right.

Benjamin Netanyahu: Thank you very much.