Israel’s political system was glued to TV screens May 4 as the High Court discussion on petitions against a unity government was broadcast live. Thus, few took the time to watch Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participating in the Coronavirus Global Response videoconference  hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The European Union and its partners hosted an international pledging conference with the aim of raising the equivalent of $8 billion to kick-start global cooperation against the coronavirus and for finding a vaccine. French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and many other world leaders, including Netanyahu, took part in this drive.

On April 24, several of these same world leaders participated in a videoconference dedicated to creating tools to battle the coronavirus. Israel was apparently not part of this initiative. Was it not invited on purpose? Did the fact that President Donald Trump did not participate play a role? Whatever the reasons, official sources in Israel said Jerusalem was not really aware of the event. In fact, Netanyahu participated at a videoconference of his own just hours earlier that day, discussing the coronavirus threat with leaders of Central and Eastern Europe.

This time was different, and Jerusalem made sure to be in the loop. On May 1, Netanyahu spoke on the phone with von der Leyen, who invited him to take part in the meeting. And so, on May, 4 the prime minister offered a concise message relating to the world Israel’s achievement of limiting the spread of the virus. "I am confident that Israel’s leading research institutions, its world-renowned scientists and our unique culture of innovation can enable us to play an important role in advancing solution,’’ said Netanyahu, who pledged $60 million for research into a vaccine.