Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelensky was forced to row back on comments he made to Israeli MKs, praising Naftali Bennett's role and mediator in the conflict and suggesting that Jerusalem could be a suitable venue for future negotiations.
The 44-year-old Ukrainian president spoke to Knesset MKs yesterday in an address that was simulcast to Habima Square in Tel Aviv and initially took a tough tone questioning why Israel had not matched other Western countries with their sanction efforts on Russia.
He said: "One can keep asking why we can’t get weapons from you. Or why Israel has not imposed strong sanctions against Russia. Why it doesn’t put pressure on Russian business?"
Jewish president Zelensky, who is related to Holocaust victims also said: "Ukrainians have made their choice. 80 years ago. They rescued Jews. That is why the Righteous Among the Nations are among us."
After the speech, several MKs publicly voiced their dismay at the Ukrainian president's remarks, accusing him of downplaying Ukraine's role in the Holocaust and historic persecution of Jews.
Communications minister Yoaz Hendel tweeted: “I admire the Ukraine president and support the Ukrainian people in heart and deed, but the terrible history of the Holocaust cannot be rewritten, genocide was also committed on Ukrainian soil.
מעריך את נשיא אוקראינה ותומך בעם האוקראיני בלב ובמעשה, אבל אי אפשר לשכתב את ההיסטוריה הנוראה של השואה.
— Yoaz Hendel יועז הנדל (@YoazHendel1) March 20, 2022
רצח עם שבוצע גם באדמת אוקראינה. המלחמה נוראה אבל ההשוואה לזוועת השואה והפתרון הסופי מקוממת.
"The war is terrible but the comparison to the horrors of the Holocaust and the final solution is outrageous."
Seemingly responding to this public criticism, Zelensky later dialled back his comments, praising the Israeli Prime Minister for his efforts in helping to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
On his daily video address, Zelensky said: "Of course, Israel has its interests, strategy to protect its citizens. We understand all of it,”
“The prime minister of Israel, Mr. Bennett, is trying to find a way of holding talks. And we are grateful for this. We are grateful for his efforts, so that sooner or later we will begin to have talks with Russia, possibly in Jerusalem."
