Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly left a cabinet meeting to engage in a 50-minute phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This move comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Russia, highlighted recently at a United Nations Security Council meeting.
Netanyahu's spokesman confirmed the telephonic interaction to The Times of Israel, though details regarding who initiated the call remain undisclosed. The Russian side has not yet commented on the conversation, leaving the content and implications of the discussion a matter of speculation.
This significant diplomatic engagement occurs against a backdrop of strained relations, particularly following recent critical remarks from Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky. During a Security Council meeting on December 8, Polyansky condemned Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip as "crimes against humanity," marking a stark and public denunciation of Israeli policies by a senior Russian official.
The phone call's timing and duration suggest an attempt to address or mitigate these growing tensions, though the lack of public details leaves room for multiple interpretations. It is unclear whether this conversation will lead to a shift in the current diplomatic dynamics between Israel and Russia or if it was merely a routine exchange between the leaders.
Netanyahu's decision to step out of a government meeting for this call underscores the importance Israel places on its relationship with Russia, a key player in Middle Eastern geopolitics and global affairs.
