Israel Withdraws From Russia-Ukraine Conflict Mediation
Though the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, “Israel is no longer taking part in the mediation efforts” between the two nations, an official in Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s delegation to Paris said on Tuesday evening. Though Israel does not rule out a meeting between Lapid and Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “as of right now no such meeting is in the works,” the official said. Israel maintains “deep divisions with Russia over the war,” but Lapid’s predecessor, Naftali Bennett, met with Putin early in the war, and he unsuccessfully attempted to mediate between Putin and Zelensky then too.
Israel’s government is anything but stable at the moment. With the Knesset having dissolved and premier power shifting from Bennett to Lapid, Israel has many domestic concerns to work out before deciding how to proceed in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. With that being said, Israel has not managed to follow suit with other Western leaders who have visited Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, in recent weeks to support Ukraine. Israel hangs in a delicate balance because Russia holds power in the Middle East. Full defiance against this aggressor could cause Russia to further arm Iran and jumpstart war with Israel, hence the Jewish state’s hesitance to condemn Russia and its decision to withdraw from mediation efforts. While we support Israel’s safety and prosperity, we also pray for an end to the conflict in Ukraine that will keep Russia from destroying the independent nation.
