Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's chief of staff on Tuesday strongly criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel's position. "I don't understand why today an absolute majority of world leaders have visited Ukraine, and the Israeli prime minister so far has not. What needs to happen for that?"
In a special briefing to journalists and senior members of Jewish communities around the world, Andrei Yermak – whose father is Jewish – said he could not understand how Israel could maintain neutrality in the face of the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran. "The Kremlin dictator is photographed with Iranian leaders, and then the Iranian weapons are used against us and against you, what else is needed?" he said.
Ukraine, Attacks on Kherson // Chief Rabbinate of Ukraine
Addressing the meeting participants, Yermak said: "Let's do something else so that Israel will be with Ukraine not only in words but also in deeds. Even today, against Iranian drones, there is no one who can help us more than Israel. But that doesn't happen. Assistance against drones would be symbolic because they are made in Iran. The citizens of Israel understand that we and they have the same enemy, but I don't understand why politicians don't understand that."
Visit of the wife of President Michal Herzog and the First Lady of Ukraine at Sheba Medical Center // Video: Avi Kanner, Recorder: Uri Buzaglo
At the beginning of his remarks, Yermak also expressed surprise that Israel did not see fit to respond to Russian President Vladimir Putin's insults against President Zelensky, when he said that he was "a disgrace to the Jewish people." "We were surprised that Israel didn't react at all. A decisive response is needed to the rise of anti-Semitism in Russia, which the Kremlin not only tolerates but supports." Asked by Israel Hayom how President Zelensky responded to Putin's remarks about his Jewishness, Yermak said: "He no longer treats Putin's nonsense like any sane person in the world. Because how can you respond to the crazy things of a man who wreaks havoc like another dictator in World War II?"
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, is currently visiting Israel, and Yermak's remarks implied that Prime Minister Netanyahu does not find time to meet with her – unlike Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal. "I hope the prime minister finds time to meet with the first lady. I very much hope to find time to come to Ukraine, to support Ukrainians, including Ukrainians of Jewish blood."
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