The Ukrainian embassy in Israel takes off the gloves: In a special statement, Kyiv strongly condemns "Israel's false neutrality," points to events that indicate growing support for Russia, and accuses Prime Minister Netanyahu of spreading "completely fictional arguments" about the transfer of Western weapons from the battlefield in Ukraine to Syria and Iran.
"We note with regret that the current Israeli government has chosen the path of close cooperation with the Russian Federation," the statement said. "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."
Russian attack in Kyiv, photo: AP
In direct criticism of the current government and its predecessor, the embassy said the arguments revolved around "Israel's special relationship with Russia on the issue of Syria as well as the vulnerability of the Jewish community in the Russian Federation." But in the latest interview (with the Jerusalem Post), "completely fictional and speculative arguments were also presented that Western weapons are being transferred from the battlefield in Ukraine to the regimes in Iran and Syria." According to the embassy, the prime minister's statements were made "to justify Israel's complete inaction regarding the provision of defensive measures to Ukraine over the past year and a half."
Prime Minister Netanyahu, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Another event, according to the embassy, that indicates the Netanyahu government's rapprochement with Moscow is "the successful conduct of two rounds of high-level political negotiations with the Russian Foreign Ministry." In addition, the embassy said, "an agreement has been reached regarding the establishment of an additional Russian diplomatic mission in Jerusalem." The agreement was exposed in Israel Hayom. "This mission was allocated free land and was defined by the Israeli Foreign Ministry as a political achievement."
"Deafening silence from Israel"
However, it seems that the event that particularly infuriated Ukrainians was the participation of senior Israeli officials in the celebration of the Russian embassy in Israel. "It is also worth noting the blatant disregard for moral boundaries demonstrated by many senior Israeli officials who participated in a diplomatic reception at the Russian embassy in Jerusalem (two weeks ago). Moreover, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has remained deafeningly silent regarding the anti-Semitic statements routinely made by Putin and his people."
President Putin, Photo: AP
"While democratic countries impose sanctions on Russia and define it as a terrorist state that commits war crimes on a daily basis, Israel does not impose any sanctions and has even increased bilateral trade with the bloody Moscow regime over the past two years. While the people of Ukraine, including members of the large Jewish community in Dina, are bleeding under the onslaught of Russian missiles and Iranian drones, the Israeli leadership hides behind verbal demagoguery about its neutrality and forges ties with the Russian Federation.
On the ground, the so-called "neutrality" of the Israeli government is a distinctly pro-Russian position. Unfortunately, the Israeli government pays little attention to the opinions of its own public, and also ignores Diaspora Jewry, which unequivocally supports Ukraine and its struggle against the Russian terrorist state. We call on the government of Israel to support Ukraine with protective measures, to support freedom and the democratic world order. We expect Israel to be on the right side of history."
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