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Zenger
Zenger
World
Lennox Kalifungwa

Zelenskyy: Israel To Supply Ukraine With Military Communications Systems

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at a press conference after signing Joint declaration on the perspective of Ukraine's membership in NATO in Ukraineâs capital, Kyiv, on October 31, 2022. Zelenskyy spoke at the press conference alongise Czech Republic's Prime Minister, Petr Fiala (not seen). UKRAINIAN PRESIDENCY/HANDOUT/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES

Israel will provide Ukraine with military communications systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Channel 12 that aired on Monday night. Zelenskyy revealed that Kyiv has also asked for drones and cybersecurity systems, in addition to a recent formal request for aerial defense systems, and called on Israel to “choose a side” in the conflict.

Ukrainians and Israeli supporters hold flags during a protest to mark the Ukrainian Independence Day, and six months since Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine on 24 August 2022, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Ukraine have requested Israel to supply them with weapons in their war against Russia. ILIA YEFIMOVICH/PICTURE ALLIANCE VIA GETTY IMAGES

As it relates to his previous comparison between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Hitler’s Final Solution, Zelensky stated, “When you hear the silence, especially from Israel, you begin to hear the voice of Nazis.” Zelenskyy also contended that Moscow had “used” Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who earlier this year attempted to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. “The Russians don’t need a mediator, they just want someone to delay things,” Zelenskyy said, adding: “They saw in Bennett such a person. They used him. He wanted to stop the war, but he couldn’t.” The remarks came a week after Zelenskyy slammed Israel for not supplying weapons, and claimed that Moscow would help advance Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for Tehran sending drones and missiles to the Russian military.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk, takes part in a gathering in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day (from the Soviet Union in 1991) and the six-month anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on August 24, 2022. Korniychuck revealed that he has tried to convince Washington to pressure Jerusalem into providing weapons to Kyiv. JACK GUEZ / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk told The Hill on Sunday that he meets with his American counterpart Tom Nides every week in a bid to convince Washington to pressure Jerusalem into providing weapons to Kyiv. In the interview, Korniychuk referred to Nides as his “secret weapon” in this diplomatic offensive. “The Americans are the only country that Israel is listening to … [and] this is why we discuss the … need to change this major trend that makes Israel’s position different from the rest of the democratic world, and have more military technical cooperation,” he said.

Israeli Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, speaks to press at Esenboga Airport after his visit to Ankara, Turkiye on October 28, 2022. Gantz has insisted that Israel will not supply weapons to Russia despite Zelenskyy’s claims. PHOTO BY MUHAMMED SELIM KORKUTATA,ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES

Earlier this month, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz told European Union ambassadors that while the Jewish state is aligned with Kyiv and Western nations, it would not offer any arms. “Our policy vis-à-vis Ukraine will not change—we will continue to support and stand with the West, we will not provide weapon systems,” said Gantz.

 Israel has shied away from arming Ukraine over fears of upsetting Russia, the leading player in Syria, where the Israeli military has in recent years conducted hundreds of strikes aimed at curbing Iran’s military entrenchment and the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah there and in Lebanon.

Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate.

(Additional reporting provided by JNS Reporter)

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