Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Asks to Video-Address Israel’s Knesset, is Offered a Zoom Call

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked to deliver a remote video address to Israel’s Knesset, but Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy instead offered a Zoom call due to the current recess of the country’s parliament and renovations of its building, Ynet first reported. Zelenskyy received a standing ovation following a video address to the British Parliament and will address several other country’s legislative bodies in the coming days. One of the reasons that Zoom is attractive to Israeli lawmakers is that several made plans to travel during the recess, and would not be available to gather in one place, according to the report. The Ukrainians, and some Knesset members, have called the offer of a Zoom call disrespectful. Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has attempted to mediate between the Ukraine and Russia, including traveling to the Kremlin and speaking by phone several times with Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, Israel’s Finance Ministry reportedly has said it will not fund an Israeli field hospital set up in Ukraine. This despite the fact that doctors and nurses and some equipment are already on the ground in Ukraine and the hospital, expected to cost about $300 thousand, is set to be erected this week, Israel’s Channel 12 first reported. According to the report, the Finance Ministry found out about the field hospital and its price tag from media reports. The project, led by Sheba Medical Center, will require donations to move forward. Generally, the Israel Defense Forces set up and run such field hospitals.