Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Tuesday the conflict in Syria as concern grew about Moscow's arms deliveries to the Damascus regime and a spiralling death toll. "I certainly expect to speak with you about the situation in the region, including around Syria," Putin told Netanyahu at the start of the talks at the Russian leader's Black Sea residence in Sochi. "Together we can think about how to make it (the Middle East region) more secure and stable," Netanyahu replied in televised remarks.

Israeli plans to build 300 new homes in a West Bank settlement near Ramallah prove that Israel is trying to "sabotage" US efforts to revive peace talks, a top Palestinian official said on Thursday. "We condemn this new decision which is proof that the Israeli government wants to sabotage and ruin the US administration's efforts to revive the peace process," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP.

US President Barack Obama spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday, days after the latest Israeli air raids on Syrian targets and as Washington steps up its Middle East peace efforts. The White House said in a short statement that Obama and Netanyahu, who is on a visit to China, spoke by telephone, and discussed "regional security issues and Middle East peace." col/dw

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no mention at a public appearance on Sunday of Israeli air strikes on Syria in recent days but spoke pointedly about a commitment to keeping Israel secure. "(My father) taught me that the greatest responsibility we have is to ensure Israel's security and guarantee its future," he said, dedicating a highway interchange named after his late father, Benzion Netanyahu, a historian who died a year ago.