Israel concerned over Russian withdrawal from Syria

Israeli official circles have continued to express concern following Russia’s decision to withdraw from Syria.

Israeli Radio reported on Tuesday that President Reuven Rivlin, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday, will convey a strong message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel will not allow Iran and Hezbollah to establish a foothold on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.

The station said Rivlin will also ask Putin to take Israel’s interests into account in any future solution in Syria.

Israel’s Channel 2 revealed Monday night that Netanyahu and the Israeli army and intelligence leaders have supplied Rivlin with a large number of questions to ask Putin during their meeting about the circumstances of his decision to withdraw from Syria and its implications.