Netanyahu: Israel, Russia, US 'Need to Destroy Daesh'

Russia, Israel and other partners should work together to fight global terrorism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.

JERUSALEM (Sputnik) — Following the meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Netanyahu told reporters:

"Together we are the partners in the fight against radical Islamic terror, Israel and Russia, and the United States, and many other countries. We all partners in achieving this task — we need to destroy Daesh. I believe that cooperation between all partners helps each of us and helps humankind."

Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia and many other countries, proclaimed an Islamic caliphate on vast territories in Syria and Iraq in 2014, later spreading its influence on the neighboring states and even in Europe, which resulted in a number of terrorist acts, both in the region and the European continent.

Netanyahu expressed concern about Iran's "support for terror on all 360 degrees around," and said that Israel would not tolerate nuclear-armed Tehran.

"We are determined to realize two things. Firstly, we are not willing to let Iran have nuclear weapons, and the second… to prevent, no matter be agreement on Syria or not, the possibility of strengthening of Iran in Syria, whether on the ground or in the air," Netanyahu said.

He also condemned the Shia Hezbollah movement, speaking against its involvement in Syria.

Hezbollah, established in the 1980s, is a paramilitary and political organization originating in Lebanon's Shiite population. The group initially aimed to end Israel's occupation of Southern Lebanon. On May 25, 2000, Israel withdrew from Lebanon, which Hezbollah widely saw as its victory. The relations between the two parties have been strained, which was also fueled by Hezbollah's assistance to the Syrian government during the on gong civil war.

Since the beginning of the war in Syria, the United States and some of its allies, including Israel, have supported the moderate Syrian opposition and called for President Bashar Assad's resignation, while Russia and Iran recognized Assad as the only legitimate Syrian authority, and are making extensive efforts to support the government of the conflict-torn Syria in the fight against terrorism.