Strained Relationship For Israel Between Russia And Ukraine Due To The Jewish Communities

Ukrainian and Israeli flags at Jaffa Road in Jerusalem, Israel on December 27, 2022. Israel has aided Ukraine in the invasion from Russia. BEATA ZAWRZEL/JNS

A year into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some Israeli officials may feel the time is right to step up aid to Kyiv. To date, Jerusalem has withheld military aid to Ukraine, out of concern regarding the prospect of angering Russia, a country with a large Jewish population and a military presence on its border with Syria. Much to the frustration of the Ukrainians, Israel has provided only humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainians, as well as diplomatic backing through United Nations votes and statements in the Knesset. 

People gather around cups containing candles grouped in the form of the Tryzub, the state emblem of Ukraine, as they protest to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Tel Aviv, on February 24, 2023. Signals coming out of Kyiv and Jerusalem, however, indicate that there is growing interest in eventually increasing the level of aid and cooperation. AHMAD GHARABLI/JNS