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Bennett’s decision not to condemn Russia was coordinated with Lapid – official
Judah Ari Gross is The Times of Israel's religions and Diaspora affairs correspondent.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett addresses officer cadets on February 24, 2022. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
A diplomatic official says Bennett’s decision to avoid mentioning, let alone condemning, Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in his remarks at the IDF Officers Course graduation ceremony was deliberate and coordinated with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
Bennett’s notably soft speech was meant to be “complementary” to Lapid’s more bellicose one, the official says, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“They have spoken multiple times today and are working together,” the official says.
