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Israeli opposition leader says plans to meet with Russia’s top diplomat while in Moscow

He said he attached major significance to relations with Russia

TEL AVIV, March 5. /TASS/. Yitzhak Herzog, the leader of the opposition in Israel’s Knesset (Parliament) said on Sunday he plans to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a visit to Moscow by an Israeli delegation that begins on Monday.

"There is a meeting planned between myself and Foreign Minister Lavrov and Deputy Minister Bogdanov and I very much look forward to meeting them, discussing past opportunities that were for a major regional effort for peace as well as a future opportunities," he said, adding he wants to exchange views with the Russian senior diplomats "on the most important topics that relate to Israel’s security interests in the region, Russia’s interests in the region including what is going on in Syria."

He said he attached major significance to relations with Russia. "I think the Russian Federation plays an enormous role in the region, has a great influence, can be a major promoter of a peace process," he said. Russia, in his words, "understands the strategic threats that face Israel, including the threat of Hezbollah expansion, the fall of armament into the Hezbollah, terror activities of the Hamas and the Iranian infiltration in the region.".