Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has cancelled a planned trip to Australia, choosing to go and meet with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow instead.

The ABC understands Australian officials are disappointed and angry over the cancellation.

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The trip, which was due to begin on March 13, was going to be the first visit by an Israeli president to Australia in more than 10 years.

A senior Australian official told the ABC that there was a lot of disappointment at the decision to cancel the trip after so many arrangements had been made.

Mr Rivlin’s office told Israel media he did not want to insult the Australian Government but felt he could not turn down an invitation from Mr Putin when a ceasefire in Syria was on the agenda.

The ABC understands Australian officials were left wondering whether their efforts as one of Israel’s closest allies were appreciated by Tel Aviv.

– ABC