Israel's Role in the War Between Russia and Ukraine
As the tumultuous war between Ukraine and Russia rages on, Israel is in a tough position of how to handle a conflict between two of the country's allies
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By Zachary Isaacs
As the situation between Russia and Ukraine progresses, many countries are aligning themselves with one side, with only a few finding themselves walking the line of neutrality. One such country is Israel. Israel, widely known to be one of the United States and NATO’s closest allies, seems to remain a neutral party in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This does not come as a surprise, given the ties that Israel and Russia have developed over recent years.
Russian President Putin and former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had a strong relationship that brought their countries closer together. Through these leaders’ efforts, the two countries have signed arms deals totaling over a billion dollars. In 2015, a Russian drone, purchased from Israel, was shot down over the city of Donetsk, the now breakaway region of Ukraine. Israel has sold Russia drone technology that was (and is likely, still) being used against Ukraine. In 2019, Israel and Russia signed an agreement ensuring that Israel would not sell arms to Ukraine or Georgia in exchange for Russia not selling weapons to Iran, an example of how the two countries rely on each other on the basis of mutual security. Since 2014, Russia has been one of Israel’s largest suppliers of crude oil. In addition, both are home to large expatriate communities from either country, with Moscow being home to the largest number of Israeli expatriates in the world. On average, there are 60 flights per week between Moscow and Tel Aviv, which demonstrates the frequency of interactions between citizens of the two countries.
The Ukrainian-Israeli relationship is also strong, if not quite as close as Israel’s relationship with Russia. Ukraine is home to one of the world’s largest Jewish populations of approximately 140,000. The two countries also hold close economic ties. Trade between the two countries totals $1.3 billion per year with agricultural imports from Ukraine to Israel totaling over $400 million per year, including half of Israel’s wheat supply. Furthermore, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is the Jewish grandson of a Holocaust survivor. With the responsibility that Israel claims not only for its own citizens’ security but that of Jews around the world, the Jewish state may feel compelled to take action to protect the large Ukrainian Jewish population.
Over the past week following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the messaging from Israel has been mixed with regards to which side they are on. Israeli foreign minister, Yair Lapid, has condemned the invasion while Prime Minister Naftali Bennet has expressed concern for the civilians living in the middle of the conflict, but did not repeat the condemnation, nor did he mention Russia at all in his statement. Additionally, there are reports that Israel has blocked the American mobilization of the Iron Dome missile defense system into Ukraine because they do not want to anger Russia. There have also been concerns that sanctions on Russia could affect Israeli security due to Russia’s military intervention in Syria. Russia has helped fight ISIL stopping the terror group from gaining territory close to the Israeli border. For these reasons, Israel has been hesitant to take a strong stance against Russia and impose sanctions.
On Friday, February 25th, President Zelensky asked Prime Minister Bennett to negotiate a ceasefire. Also on the 25th, Israel refused to join a US-sponsored condemnation of Russia by the UN. On Sunday, February 27th, Israel offered Putin to mediate a cease-fire between the two countries. On March 2nd, Israel, along with 140 other countries in the United Nations General Assembly, voted to condemn Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. Despite Israel voting to condemn Russia, Israel still has the potential to objectively negotiate an end to the conflict.
The world, especially the international Jewish Community, is closely watching Israel’s strategic plan to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine while also maintaining its security and international relationships. If successful, Israel could garner widespread recognition from the international community.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is constantly evolving and any information included in this article is subject to change at any moment.