Russian ambassador to Israel seeks ‘urgent’ Knesset meeting ahead of Zelensky speech

Ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s planned address to the Knesset, Russia’s ambassador to Israel has asked for an “urgent meeting” with Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy, Hebrew-language media reported Tuesday evening.

Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov is reportedly set to meet with Levy on Wednesday.

A senior Israeli official told the Walla news site that the goal of the meeting will likely be to protest Zelensky’s speech to Israeli lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the request has sparked fear among Israeli officials that Russian President Vladimir Putin may also request to address the Knesset.

Levy has suggested to Ukrainian Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk that Zelensky’s speech be held at 6 p.m. this Sunday. Kyiv has yet to respond to the Israeli proposal.

Earlier on Tuesday, Levy held talks with faction leaders to confirm their full attendance during Zelensky’s speech.

Walla reported that Levy was hoping that by holding the event over Zoom, lawmakers who are abroad would also be able to attend the address.

This would not be the first time Zelensky has addressed a country’s lawmakers via Zoom. Earlier this month he held a call with US lawmakers, and he will deliver a virtual address to Congress on Wednesday.

After the initial request to give a virtual address to the Knesset was rejected, Ukraine reportedly asked to hold a large rally at Yad Vashem that would be addressed by Zelensky to discuss Russia’s invasion of his country.

Yad Vashem reportedly turned down the request due to concerns that comparisons would be drawn between the invasion of Ukraine and the Holocaust, as well as concerns over the memorial being used for a political cause.

A Ukrainian government source quoted by Walla said that the request to address a rally at Yad Vashem stemmed from Zelensky’s desire to speak directly to the people of Israel, rather than just lawmakers. The source said that the Ukrainian leader was hoping that such an event would help sway public opinion further in favor of aiding Ukraine, similar to other addresses he gave to other countries.

According to the report, the speech will be live-streamed online to allow the public to tune in.

Zelensky’s planned address to the Israeli parliament comes amid repeated appeals by Ukraine for more support by Israel since Russia launched its invasion on February 24.

Last week, Korniychuk accused Israel of not doing enough to support Ukraine by providing defensive aid, absorbing refugees and taking a clear stance against Russia, noting that Zelensky “does not” understand Israel’s refusal to provide defensive equipment, such as helmets and flak jackets, to Ukraine.

Russia has “a few airplanes and anti-missile systems in Syria… and you are afraid,” Korniychuk charged.

Israel has been seeking to avoid antagonizing Russia, which has a strong presence in Syria, where Israel carries out military action against Iran-linked groups.

Though Israel has long had good relations with both Ukraine and Russia, its relationship with Kyiv has been strained because Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has avoided directly blaming Russia for the war, unlike Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

Earlier Tuesday, Lapid spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba for the first time since the Russian offensive. In a “long and positive” conversation, Lapid updated Kuleba on Israel’s continued efforts to mediate and provide assistance in the ongoing war in Ukraine.