Israel sending 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine
Israel will send 100 tons of humanitarian equipment to civilians affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced.
Ukrainian flags together with Israeli flags wave in the wind as Ukraine’s President, Petro Poroshenko, visit the Knesset. Jerusalem, Dec 2015. Photo by Hillel Maeir/TPS
Speaking at the beginning of the weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Bennett said that Israel is “praying for the wellbeing of the citizens of Ukraine and hope that additional bloodshed will be avoided.”
He claimed his government is “conducting a measured and responsible policy,” vis-à-vis the crisis in Europe. Israel is treading a thin line in an attempt to assist Ukraine and align itself with the West while not angering Russia, with which it has ties and with which it coordinates its military actions against terror targets inside Syria. Israel has issued a weak condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, accusing it of “a serious violation of international order” but not of international law.
He announced that in the next two days a plane will arrive in Ukraine with 100 tons of Israeli humanitarian equipment for civilians in the combat zones and those who are trying to leave. The aid includes water purification kits, medical equipment and drugs, tents, blankets, sleeping bags, and additional equipment for civilians “who are not in their homes in the cold winter weather.”
The cargo does not include military equipment.
Israeli and Jewish organizations have dispatched aid and teams to countries around Ukraine and have pledged financial support for humanitarian missions to help the Jews of Ukraine.
Simultaneously, the Foreign Ministry and its personnel have been working around the clock to assist the Israelis who are at the border and want to leave there and come home. The Israeli embassy in Poland announced that it rescued 60 Israeli civilians on Saturday night in a rescue operation that lasted more than 12 hours.
Later in the day, the Cabinet is slated to discuss the implications of the situation for Israel, including the diplomatic and economic aspects, the absorption of immigrants, and other issues.
In regard to food stocks and possible economic consequences for the State of Israel, “we are prepared,” said Bennett.
