JERUSALEM
Israel has yet to respond to Kyiv’s request for air defense systems in the wake of Russia’s war with Ukraine, now in its ninth month.
Israel’s pro-Kyiv policy went beyond pointing out aid to Ukraine contrary to the Russian offensive, rejecting the referendum in Russian-annexed areas and offering humanitarian aid to the war.
However, Ukraine considers these measures to be insufficient.
Israel also imposed restrictions on visa programs for Ukrainians, as both countries voted against each other at the United Nations.
Israel Netanyahu
Shimon Stein, a senior fellow at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies and a former Israeli ambassador to Berlin, told Anadolu Agency that Tel Aviv did not make any serious adjustments in favor of Ukraine under Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s new prime minister.
Stein said: “Shortly before the election, Netanyahu said he would then think about the whole issue, if he deviates from the existing line, that remains to be seen. “
The diplomatic tension between Israel and Ukraine came to a head with the UN vote on November 11 on the Palestinian task in the Israeli occupation.
Ukraine voted in favor of Palestine, prompting Israel to summon the Ukrainian ambassador to Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv accused Kyiv of “being in the same way as Iran. “
“Ukraine’s demonstration of such a habit reflects relations between friendly countries that share not unusual values,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a message to Ukrainian Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk.
Referring to this development, Stein said, “I don’t understand why Ukraine right now, when it is asking for Israel’s help, voted in favor of sending this factor to The Hague. “
Ukraine’s ambassador to Tel Aviv, Korniychuk, conveyed his country’s “anger” to Israel for “stopping Ukrainians in Israel. “
While Ukraine’s Western allies lifted visa restrictions for Ukrainians after the war, Tel Aviv canceled the visa-free agreement between the two countries.
Ukraine was also disappointed that Israel “abstained” in the November 14 UN vote on Russia’s payment of war reparations to Ukraine.
Stein said, “We have in our minds the gigantic Jewish network in Russia, which is an argument that weighs on Israel’s resolve vis-à-vis Russia. “
“Netanyahu has close relations with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, he has visited Moscow several times during his tenure as prime minister to talk about the total scenario related to Syria,” he added.
“Operating restrictions”
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov criticized Israel’s policy toward his country.
Reznikov criticized the “operational restrictions” of Israel, which bases its security policy on the western axis but refuses to send weapons to Ukraine because of the presence of the Russian army in Syria.
Reznikov, referring to Russia’s use of Iranian-made armed unmanned aerial cars (SIHAs) in Ukraine, said: “The Iranians are gaining operational delight in the fight in Ukraine. These SIHAs will be used in opposition to Israel in the future.
Stein said Israel would jeopardize its relationship with Russia by sending weapons.
He said: “We have continued with humanitarian aid. We are also exchanging intelligence related to the Iranian drone operation. But beyond that, if you ask me, will Israel hand over weapons?I don’t know. “
America turns a blind eye
Long-standing special appointments between Israel and the United States are controversial, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Stein said, “The United States completely agrees with Israel’s position, which has to do with the Russian presence in Syria. “
“As long as the United States turns a blind eye and doesn’t pressure Israel to obviously side with Ukraine, if we have that wiggle room, I see no explanation as to why it would change the position of the Israeli government,” he added.
*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report