Knesset rejects Zelenskyy’s request to address it
Jerusalem24 – The Israeli Knesset (parliament) rejected a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deliver a televised speech in front of its public assembly on the Russian military attack on his country, according to Israeli media.
This request was submitted by the Ukrainian ambassador to Tel Aviv, Yevgeny Kornichuk, to the Speaker of the Knesset, Mickey Levy, according to Israeli media outlets, including the official Kan channel and the Walla website.
Levy responded to the Ukrainian request by saying that it came on the last day of the Knesset’s winter session when its members will go on vacation for two months, and the Knesset hall will undergo renovations, according to Kan.
He added that, accordingly, it would not be possible for Zelenskyy to address the Knesset’s plenary body (which includes 120 members), while he could address the deputies, but not inside the building.
The Knesset often held extraordinary sessions during its holidays to discuss important issues.
The Ukrainians were disappointed with the Knesset’s response, because they wanted Zelenskyy to deliver his speech on a large screen in front of the Knesset in its entirety, according to the Walla website.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy addressed the British Parliament, and a few days ago he addressed the European Parliament in the same way.