Ties with Russia Compromise Israel's Stance on Ukraine

Last Wednesday, with the news that Vladimir Putin had launched an invasion of its neighbor, Israel's Foreign Ministry issued a statement concerning "steps taken in eastern Ukraine" and endorsing the principle of "territorial integrity." The statement didn't even mention Russia, which rankled the Ukrainian Embassy in Tel Aviv. "We just really hope that they will do something that sounds the same as our Western allies," an Embassy spokeswoman said. On Thursday, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, the architect of Israel's current "center" government, abandoned the passive voice but not the guarded tone. Talking with reporters, he condemned "the Russian attack" as a "serious violation of the international order" and offered "humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian citizens," but emphasized that Israel has good relations with both sides. Later that day, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett returned to the ministry's original, more muted, style. "These are difficult, tragic times," he said. "Our hearts are with the civilians of eastern Ukraine who were caught up in this situation."

Israel's statements reflect actions, or, rather, inactions. 

Read Prof. Avishai's full New Yorker article here!