Israel’s new and internationally untested prime minister, Naftali Bennett, has been in frequent contact with European leaders in an effort to act as a go-between over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and preserving Israeli interests in the Middle East, former fellow Neri Zilber (Israel, 2011-2013) writes for The Financial Times.

“A person familiar with the Israeli efforts said Bennett is assisting in the communication between the two sides in an effort to minimize differences and reframe the narrative from one of existential conflict to a territorial dispute,” he writes.

“If we can be helpful then we have a responsibility to try,” a second Israeli official told Neri.

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Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, October 22, 2021 (Kremlin.ru)