Netanyahu Delays Putin Meeting to Consolidate the Right

A meeting scheduled between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for Thursday in Moscow has been delayed, an Israeli official said.

“The meeting planned for tomorrow between the prime minister and President Putin has been delayed by a few days, as agreed upon between both sides. The two will hold a telephone conversation tomorrow and a new date for the meeting will be set soon,” the official said.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Putin and Netanyahu were to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including Syria.

Netanyahu canceled his trip to Russia in order to complete the consolidation of Israel’s political right.

Netanyahu has been working vigorously in recent days to bring several right-wing parties together, ahead of the April elections. He depends on their support in forming a coalition.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu scheduled a meeting with Jewish Home leaders on Wednesday afternoon, in a final bid to secure a united ticket for a number of smaller right-wing parties.