Ukraine's ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Kornichuk, will be summoned for a reprimand at the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said at a press briefing on Sunday. This follows the embassy's harsh statement earlier today. In a statement, the embassy said: "We note with regret that the current Israeli government has chosen the path of close cooperation with the Russian Federation. This is evidenced by a series of controversial events that have occurred since the beginning of 2023 along with the almost complete lack of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Among these events it is worth noting a visit by the Foreign Ministry delegation to Ukraine in February and a number of interviews given by the prime minister to the Israeli media."
"Israel has stood by Ukraine from the beginning of the war until today." Foreign Minister Eli Cohen (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Foreign Minister Cohen called the remarks "harsh" and said that "despite the complexity vis-à-vis Russia, Israel has stood by Ukraine from the beginning of the war until today, publicly supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and even voted in international forums to condemn Russia." Minister Cohen also noted the scope of the aid to Ukraine, saying that "Israel sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine in an unprecedented manner (NIS 2022 million in 80, and this year a higher budget is earmarked)." Cohen also said that "the warning system that Israel adapts to Ukraine will save the lives of Ukrainian citizens in the country."
Contacted Israel in the past: Ukrainian ambassador to Israel requests mine clearance equipment (archive) \\ Credit: Ukrainian Embassy in Israel
Possibility of an agreement with Saudi Arabia until March 2024
Foreign Minister Cohen also addressed the possibility of normalization with Saudi Arabia moving forward, saying, "We are very optimistic about the possibility of achieving such an agreement. This is an achievable agreement, after which other countries will follow. Discussions on this issue are taking place through a number of channels, the main one being through the US administration." Cohen revealed that this is a unique agreement that will not be part of the Abraham Accords, and noted that other countries will be part of it.
Cohen also said that the window of opportunity for such an agreement is limited in time due to the upcoming US elections. "In our assessment, there is a window of opportunity until March 2024, after which the US political system will focus on the presidential election campaign." Cohen later referred to the American visa program and revealed that a pilot for Israeli participation in the program will begin in July. According to Cohen, "The process towards Israel joining the visa exemption program is progressing as planned. We hold meetings on this regularly to monitor progress, and host delegations from the United States in Israel to monitor progress.
Possibility of normalization with Saudi Arabia, photo: Yoav Limor
"A pilot of part of the agreement is supposed to begin in July and we are convinced that by the end of September we will meet the targets. It is important to note the significant part played by the US Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, in the process. This is his legacy and although he is ending his role as ambassador in the coming days, I asked him to continue to be involved even after his term as ambassador ends." Cohen also noted that tomorrow evening the official farewell dinner will be held for Ambassador Nides.
The foreign minister also referred to the Negev Forum, which Morocco announced would postpone again over the weekend due to decisions on construction in Judea and Samaria. "The meeting of foreign ministers of the Negev Forum that was scheduled for July was postponed, but not canceled. The reason for the postponement is the decision to expand construction in Judea and Samaria," Cohen said, adding that "according to the plan, 2-3 countries with which Israel does not yet have diplomatic relations were supposed to participate. We believe that even in the future meeting, these countries will participate, and this will be part of the steps towards normalization with them. The United States plays an important role in advancing the forum and the ministerial meeting."
Preparing to say goodbye to Ambassador Tom Nides (archive), photo: Gideon Markowitz
Cohen denied the cooling in relations between the two countries, adding that "relations with Morocco are warm and you can see the number of visits by Israeli ministers to the country and the agreements that are signed." Asked about the US decision to stop scientific and technological cooperation with entities beyond the Green Line, as revealed this morning by Kan, Foreign Minister Cohen replied: "I oppose the decision and think it is wrong. In similar cases in the past, the Israeli government made sure to fully indemnify those harmed by these decisions."
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