Israel's attempts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine represent an important shift in the country's foreign policy, says Eran Etzion, a former senior Israeli diplomat and previously the deputy head of Israel's national security council. A country that for decades was clearly aligned with the U.S. and the West, says Etzion, has been drifting toward a more neutral position in the global arena, but now it must choose between the democratic world and an authoritarian axis trying to destroy it. Listen to his full interview with host Amir Tibon.

Later on the show, we hear from Anat Peled, co-author of a recent Haaretz article on Israelis who have gone to Ukraine to fight with the Ukrainian military against Putin's invasion. What brings young Israelis to leave everything behind for this war, and how does the government view the phenomenon? The conversation with her starts at time code 28:20. 

This week, because of the Purim holiday, there will not be a new episode of Haaretz Weekend. See you next week. 

Read more of our Ukraine coverage:

* Anshel Pfeffer reports from Odessa, the city that believes it is Putin's next target.

* Putin wanted another Crimea. He may get another Chechnya instead.

* Israel plans to airlift tens of thousands of Ukrainian Jews.

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