PM Bennett Is the Only Western Leader to Meet Russian President Putin Since He Launched the Invasion of Ukraine: PM Bennett tried to mediate between Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky. Bennett is an observant Jew, who keeps Shabbat, and due to the circumstances he made his way to Moscow early Shabbat morning. The meeting lasted more than 2 hours. Bennett then called Zelensky and then travelled to Berlin to update the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
PM Bennett’s mediation efforts have not succeeded so far.
Israeli opposition leaders and politicians either mocked Bennett for trying to play a world leader role, or attacked him for reaching too high for his stature.
The circumstances of the meeting are still unclear. The parties did not reveal who initiated the meeting. Bennett’s spokesperson informed reporters that the two leaders also discussed the coming Iran deal and Israel interest, and about the possibility of a wave of Russian Jews who may want to immigrate to Israel in the near future.
Minister of Internal Affairs Faces Public Criticism on Ukrainian Refugees Issue: Minister Ayelet Shaked (Yemina) announced earlier this week that Israel will accept up to 5,000 non-Jewish refugees fleeing the Ukraine, with the possibility of further increasing the quota. Those entering Israel as war refugees will be able to stay on a tourist visa for up to three months and will receive neither social benefits nor health insurance. Minister Shaked also stated that should the war and the humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine continue, and refugees are unable to return, they will get work permits. More than 3,500 non-Jewish refugees have entered Israel since the war in the Ukraine broke out, hence, the quota of 5,000 is quite low. Shaked's hard line on the refugee issue was under fire from members of the government coalition, and refugees' rights advocates. Israel’s most popular satire TV show created a skit depicting Shaked as a cold hearted public servant, with references to post World War II, when countries closed their borders to Jewish holocaust survivors. Critics addressed both the low number of those allowed into Israel, as well as the bureaucratic and financial hurdles facing non-Jewish Ukrainian refugees. The shift, albeit not dramatic, in Minister Shaked’s policy, including foregoing the mandatory deposit of 3000$ for each refugee, was a result of pressure from members of the government, including foreign minister Lapid and minister of immigration, Tamano-Shata.
Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, Met with Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara: This was the first meeting between Israeli and Turkish leaders in fifteen years. The relations between the two countries deteriorated due to the fact that Erdogan supported the Palestinian organization Hamas, which is defined as a terrorist organization by Israel and most western counties. There are no ambassadors and the relations are very tense. When Herzog was elected, Erdogan personally called to congratulate him, and then invited him for an official meeting in Ankara. Soon the Turkish foreign minister will come to Israel for a working visit and will meet with Israel foreign minister Yair Lapid. And, in both countries there is hope that shortly thereafter they will be able to exchange ambassadors and diplomatic relations will have a reset.
Israel Fighter Jets Attacked Targets Near Damascus in Syria, Killing two Iranian Army Officers, who Belong to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, According to Foreign Sources: Israeli intelligence believe the two were part of an important Iranian project in Syria which is supposed to be deployed against Israel. Israel has declared time and again that it will not tolerate any Iranian military activity near its’ borders.
Meanwhile the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) revealed that a year ago, it’s jets shot down two Iranian drones that were on their way to attack Israeli targets.
Israel Marks International Women’s Day: earlier this week, MK Aida Touma Sliman, chair of the Knesset committee on the status of women and gender equality (Joint List), and Speaker of the Knesset Miki Levi (Yesh Atid) co-hosted a public event to mark international women’s day. Speakers addressed the need to close the gender gaps in all realms of life, from pay inequities, through political representation, to ending gender-based violence. According to the Israel Gender Index, which measures gender inequality across various parameters, women still face discrimination in all aspects of life. Areas with the widest gaps include political and economic power (68% gap), culture and media (56% gap), and employment (42% gap). Gaps also prevail in civil society organizations, where 68% of the work force are women, yet more than 70% of CEO’s are men. A recent research report also shows that Israeli nonprofits that advance women and girls receive only 2.2% of overall nonprofit income, and that less than one percent (0.9%) of philanthropic giving goes to nonprofits advancing women and girls. 45% of this comes from abroad.
For Further Reading:
Bennett and Putin: Here, here, here, here