Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Bennett speaks with Ukraine’s Zelensky, pledges humanitarian assistance

“The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, with an emphasis on the Kyiv region,” a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett holds a press conference at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett holds a press conference at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

“The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, with an emphasis on the Kyiv region,” a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Bennett offered the Ukrainian leader Israel’s assistance with any humanitarian aid needed and updated Zelensky on the steps already taken in this regard.

The Israeli leader also reiterated his hope for a speedy end to the fighting, and said that he stands by the Ukrainian people during these difficult days.

Israel’s leadership has been balancing its position on the conflict. Bennett did not explicitly condemn Russia’s actions in a readout of the call, but on Thursday, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called Russia’s attack a “grave violation of international order.”

Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry announced on Friday that it will send NIS 10 million ($3.07 million) in aid to Ukraine’s Jewish community.

“We will keep litigating until we get to the truth,” Randy Mastro told JNS, after oral arguments in New York County Supreme Court. “I’m sure the court will hear us when these procedural issues are behind us.”
Forum HaGevura (“The Heroism Forum”) warned in the letter, a copy of which the group provided to JNS, that Hamas was exploiting the fact that Israel stopped taking the initiative in Gaza.
“I’m seeing what’s going on in New York,” Stav Cohen, founder of the Israeli nonprofit Frontline Advocates, told JNS. “I fear for my speakers’ lives.”
Community leaders help seek a mother and daughter from Modi’in as an Israeli court restricts publication of investigative details.