• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intensified his criticism of Israel’s refusal to sanction Russia.
• Naftali Bennett is to be replaced as prime minister by Yair Lapid within days.
• Israeli commentators say contrasting rhetoric was coordinated to safeguard Israeli neutrality.

Volodymyr Zelensky criticises Israel for Not Sanctioning Russia. A new political crisis in Israel means that Naftali Bennett will probably be replaced as prime minister; by Foreign Minister Yair Lapid within days of Volodymyr Zelensky’s address; which comes four months into Russia’s war on Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine; sharpened his condemnation of Israel on Thursday during the Jewish leader’s speech; at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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While his administration has not placed sanctions; on the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin; Bennett has refrained from criticising Russia’s incursion; and emphasised Israel’s close connections with Moscow and Kyiv.

Lapid denounced Russia’s actions as a “violation of the world order”; a few days after the invasion on February 24.

According to Israeli pundits, their divergent rhetoric was planned; to protect Israeli neutrality.

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