Netanyahu, Putin agree to organize flights for their nationals to return home

TEL AVIV, April 6. /TASS/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to arrange a number of flights between Israel and Russia to make it possible for the two countries’ nationals return home amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, the office of the Israeli prime minister said on Monday after their telephone conversation. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin," it said. "The leaders discussed cooperation in the procurement of medical equipment and supplies. They also agreed to enable movement between Russia and Israel so that citizens of the two countries will be able to return home." According to the prime minister’s office, it was "a warm conversation" and the Russian leader wished The Israeli prime minister and the Israeli people "a happy Passover and success in the struggle against the coronavirus." The Kremlin press service said earlier in the day that the two leaders expressed "mutual commitment to closer coordination" of anti-coronavirus efforts. Apart from that, Putin and Netanyahu discussed s number of current issues of bilateral cooperation and agreed to continue contacts between their countries at various levels. The conversation was initiated by the Israeli side. Passover, or Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday and one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays. It is celebrated from April 8 to April 16, 2020 and commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. As of April 6, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Israel reached 8,611, with 51 datalities. According to Israel’s health ministry, as many as 141 patients are in critical condition, with 107 of them being connected to artificial lung ventilation. At least 546 patients have recovered. The first coronavirus case in Israel was confirmed on February 27. It was a patient who had returned from Italy. The first coronavirus-associated death was reported on March 20. Read more