* In first public comment, Bennett does not condemn Russia over invasion: For the first time, Israeli PM Naftali Bennet on Thursday, acknowledged the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a few hours after Foreign Minister Yair Lapid voiced Israeli condemnation of Russia's invasion. Bennet spoke at the officer's course graduation ceremony, where he avoided expressing criticism of the Kremlin. "These are hard and tragic times, and our hearts are with the Ukrainians who are entangled in this situation even though they have done nothing wrong," he said. "The world is way less stable, and our region also changes from day to day. These days teach us that war between militaries is not, unfortunately, a thing of the past. Israel is positioned today as a rock of strength, stability, security, and hope, in a complicated region with many threats and challenges." (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
* Israelis protest Ukraine invasion in Tel Aviv: Hundred of Israelis, most of whom are of Ukrainian origin, protested against the Russian invasion on Thursday night. More than two hundred people participated in the demonstration outside of the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv and hundreds of demonstrators marched to the Russian Consulate in Haifa. (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
*Jews Begin Evacuating From Ukraine's Odessa as Russia Attacks, Israel Pledges Aid: Jewish community sends groups on buses to unspecified locations abroad. Israel's diaspora minister says the ministry is 'preparing an aid package for Jewish communities in Ukraine and will assist them in any way we can' (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
* Russia Slams Israeli 'Occupation' of Golan Heights After Jerusalem Supports Ukraine: Russia's UN envoy voices 'concern' about Israel's plans for expansion in the north, saying Russia does not recognize its sovereignty over the region, hours before Russian attacks on Ukraine. (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
* Roads Close Across Tel Aviv as Tens of Thousands Descend on City for Annual Marathon: Roads will be closed today between 4 A.M. and 2 P.M., along a course that begins at Rokach Boulevard West and ends nearby at Hayarkon Park. (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
