This morning I convened the Security Cabinet which received a full update
on the recent events. The Security Cabinet ministers
also share in the deep sorrow of the Russian families
and the Russian people. We give full backing to the IDF
in its actions to defend the state. We will continue to take action
to prevent the establishment of an Iranian military presence in Syria
and we will continue the security coordination between the IDF
and the Russian military. To this end, I agreed with President
Putin that IDF and Russian military working teams would meet soon.
In the past three years Israel has been very successful in preventing
both the establishment of an Iranian military presence in Syria and
the attempts to transfer lethal weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This is not to say that there haven't been exceptions but all in all there
has been very great success. We did this with maximum and
successful security coordination with the Russian military.
Since the tragic events in the skies over Syria I have spoken
twice with President Putin. I expressed to him our deep regret
over the loss of the crew of the Russian plane that was brought
down by irresponsible Syrian anti-aircraft fire.
The responsibility for peace is not delegated, refused nor pre-empted.
It is exercised collectively.
What can resolve the crisis between Israel and Palestine?
Surely not unilateral initiatives, nor trampling on the legitimate
rights of the Palestinian people to legitimate peace,
nor underestimating the legitimate right of Israelis to their security.
There is no credible alternative to the two-states living side by
side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as (their) capital.