BICOM

What happened: For the second time since the invasion began Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke on Wednesday with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• In his conversation with Zelensky, Bennett offered Israel’s continued assistance in providing humanitarian aid, but declined to offer military assistance.
• When speaking to Putin, Bennett expressed concern over the widespread humanitarian damage and called for a negotiated solution. The leaders agreed to remain in contact.
• At Zelensky’s request, Bennett has offered to mediate between the sides, an approach that has been rejected by Moscow.
• Yesterday Bennett warned that Ukraine faces “total destruction,” but placed the emphasis on the “major players in the world” to “act quickly.”
• During a press conference in Kyiv yesterday, President Zelensky was asked by Itai Engel from Channel 12 News, “As a Jewish man, do you have expectations of the Jewish state?”
• Zelensky first related to a “very nice picture” he saw of Jews praying at the Western Wall, wrapped in the Ukrainian flag. “That picture amazed me. I say all credit to the people who did that.”
• Regarding Prime Minister Bennett, he said, “Our relations are not bad, not bad at all. But relations are tested at times like these, at the hardest moments, when help and support are needed. And I don’t feel that he is wrapped in our flag.”

Context: Israel is continuing to supply humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but Bennett has refrained from personally condemning Russia, due to the crucial deconfliction mechanism coordinated against Iranian entrenchment in Syria.

• After refusing to co-sponsor a UN resolution against Russia last week at the Security Council, Israel did vote to condemn Russian aggression in the General Assembly.  Following the vote US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides tweeted his thanks to Israel, “for helping rally more members to stand with Ukraine.”
• Israel’s ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog has explained, “While our moral position is clear, we are striving to pursue it in a way that will maintain our freedom of operations against Iran in the region, which is in everybody’s interest.”
• Bennett has the support of the Israeli security establishment in pursuing a balanced, cautious approach. While the US is Israel’s closest ally, the Russians are Israel’s neighbours in Syria.
• However, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has called the Russian attack on Ukraine, ”a serious violation of the international order.”
• Again yesterday, Russia’s Ambassador to Israel reassured the mechanism would continue because it was in the interest of both parties and helps ensure “the safety and security of our army.”
• Russia has a range of military capabilities in Syria, including sophisticated anti-aircraft systems that so far have not been used against the Israeli Air Force. Despite Syrian requests, the Russians have denied the Syrian military access to these systems.
• Iran is proving to be Russia’s strongest supporter, there is concern in Israel, post conflict, that Iran will expect enhanced Russian backing that could come at Israel’s expense.
• Complimenting Israeli government efforts, the Jewish Agency and various Israeli humanitarian NGO’s are also on the ground providing medical and humanitarian aid, and evacuating refugees.

Looking ahead: Israel plans to send more humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the coming days, including medical equipment, medicine and generators.

• Next week a Russian defence delegation is expected to visit Israel, as part of the scheduled monthly in-person visits that is part of the deconfliction mechanism over the Syrian skies.