From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Bennett says ‘world order changing,’ but doesn’t condemn Russia; calls on Jews to leave
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Bennett does not condemn Russia, or even mention the country by name, in remarks on the conflict in Ukraine.
“The world order as we know it is changing,” he says, speaking at a graduation ceremony the IDF officers course at the Bahad 1 base near Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev desert. “The world is much less stable, and our region too is changing every day.”
“These days teach us that war between armies is not, unfortunately, a feature of the past,” he says, calling Israel “an anchor of strength, stability, security, and hope in a dangerous region.
He repeats the call for Israelis in Ukraine to leave the country. “Leave now. Protect your lives. Our people are waiting to receive you at the border crossings in the western part of the country.
“Every Jew knows we are waiting for him here,” he continues, “that the door to the State of Israel is always open.”
“These as difficult, tragic times,” Bennett says. “Our hearts are with the civilians of eastern Ukraine who were caught up in this situation.”
He pledges that Israel will offer any humanitarian assistance Ukraine asks for.
