Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is scheduled to fly to Russia next week to discuss a reported deal by which Russia will be selling the S-300 air defense system to Syria.

According to the Wall Street Journal report, Syria has already paid for the system and the deal is moving forward, a deal that would significantly compromise Israel’s aerial freedom of movement over Syria.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that the deal was made a long time ago and Russia is simply completing its part of the bargain. He adds the system in question is strictly defensive so it does not pose any threat to Israel.

Israeli officials don’t believe Lavrov, and they are aware the advanced air defense system would significantly complicate a future Israeli attack against targets in Syria.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)