Putin rebukes Netanyahu for blaming Assad regime for chemical attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin scolded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for blaming Syria’s Assad regime for a devastating chemical weapons attack on civilians.

Russian media Thursday quoted Putin as saying “it was unacceptable to make groundless accusations against anyone without conducting a detailed and unbiased investigation.” Reports cited a Kremlin statement that said Netanyahu initiated the call to Putin.

The attack earlier this week on a rebel-held village killed at least 72 people, including many children.

President Donald Trump, among others, has blamed Bashar Assad’s regime for the attack, but Russia has insisted that no blame should be assigned until the attack is investigated. Russia and Syria routinely frustrate attempts by human rights groups to inspect alleged atrocities in Syria.

Putin’s direct reproach to Netanyahu and its mention in the official Kremlin statement suggest that Russia is signaling to Israel that it should not take sides in the conflict.

Israel wants assurances that Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, will not have stakes in southwestern Syria, where the country borders Israel, in a final status agreement. Russia, the Assad regime’s ally in a bid to crush the rebellion, would be key to making that happen.

http://www.jta.org/2017/04/06/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/putin-rebukes-netanyahu-for-blaming-assad-regime-for-chemical-attack