Israeli PM heads to Moscow to discuss Russian military deployment in Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for Moscow on Monday to discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Russia's growing involvement in Syria.

The topics will include how to keep advanced weapons away from the Hezbollah organization, Israel's staunch enemy, how to prevent attacks on Israel's territories along the Syrian border and coordinate Israeli operations in Syrian airspace, the Ha'aretz daily reported.

Recent evidence showed a growing deployment of Russian forces in Syria, which Israel fears would trickle to Hezbollah and other militant organizations, according to a statement issued last week by the Prime Minister's Office.

Russia has been criticized by Western countries for its support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad amid the four-year civil war in the country. It said its recent military buildup was aimed, among others, to fight the Islamic State (IS) group.

Tensions increased between Jerusalem and Moscow earlier this year as Russia announced it would go ahead with a deal to sell S-300 missile defense systems to Iran in April. Israel charges Iran poses an existential threat to its security.

Netanyahu's last visit to Moscow and meeting with Putin took place in November 2013. Endit