WATCH: PM Netanyahu Leaves for NYC to Address UN General Assembly

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, the first day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos, departed for NYC where he will address the United Nations General Assembly. He is accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Sara Netanyahu.

In his departing words, he stressed how he has been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking to impress the Russian leader with Israel’s genuine concern and empathy over the deaths of 15 aircraft crew members when Syria mistakenly shot down a Russian plane, with Russia blaming Israel for the incident.

That said, Mr. Netanyahu stated Israel will remain firm regarding its defensive concerns vis-à-vis Iran and Tehran’s efforts to establish a military presence in Syria.

He made the following comments prior to his departure, at Ben-Gurion International Airport:

“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.

“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. We will do what is necessary to defend the security of Israel.”