Israel is performing a balancing act between Ukraine and Russia. While providing a great deal of aid to Ukraine and resettling Jewish and non-Jewish refugees, Israel will only go so far since Russia controls Syria’s airspace where Iranian proxies remain a lethal threat.
Less than two weeks ago, Russia fired missiles on Israeli jets in Syria after Israel attacked Syrian targets. The unprecedented move further signaled an increase in Russia-Israel tensions, and was a Russian signal of disapproval of Israel’s increasing defense of Ukraine and criticism of Russia.
Israel explained that its refusal of the Biden Administration’s request to transfer Israeli missiles to Ukraine was due to “concerns that there would be Russian casualties from Israeli-made weapons, Israel will only supply Ukraine with nonlethal military equipment.”
Early on after Russia invaded Ukraine, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israel to be quiet on Russia and focus on its primary enemy, Iran.
“Israel refuses US request to transfer Israeli missiles to Ukraine – report,” Jerusalem Post, May 27, 2022:
The US requested that Israel allow Berlin to supply Ukraine with Israeli-developed anti-tank missiles. US and Israeli officials told Axios on Wednesday that Israel turned that request down.
The missiles, which are produced in Germany and would be transferred to Kyiv by the German government, are produced with Israeli technology under an Israeli license, the report explained. “According to the license, Israel must approve any transfer of the missiles to a third party,” the report added.
Israel has “progressively taken a more pro-Ukraine position amid US pressure since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war while attempting to walk a fine line between upsetting the US or Russian governments. However, Israel has yet to send Ukraine advanced weaponry for their war effort, as many EU-member states have.
Amir Eshel, director-general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, visited Washington, DC, two weeks ago to meet with US Defense officials. US Undersecretary of Defense for policy, Colin Kahl, met with Eshel and asked Eshel if Israel would give permission to Germany to transfer their “Spike” anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, according to officials, the report noted.
Eshel denied the request, the report added, explaining that due to concerns that there would be Russian casualties from Israeli-made weapons, Israel will only supply Ukraine with nonlethal military equipment….
Wellington says
Whatever one’s take on Ukraine (I in general support Ukraine while still noting that it remains a profoundly corrupt and certainly not a full democratic country, contra so many Western talking points like those of the American Democratic Party and the Western MSM in general, neither of which ordinarily care not a whit to see shades of gray in matters—nonetheless, even a corrupt and not full democratic country does not deserve to be invaded for a variety of specious reasons, especially by a thug like Putin), Israel has to play a very careful game, an often very deadly geopolitical game, and respecting this “game” the bogus Biden Administration either cares not at all or does care and is “rooting for the other side.”
somehistory says
It’s understandable. But Israel will be condemned by everyone, anyway.
I was just recalling an old Irish “blessing.”
‘”May all who know you, love you
And if they do not love you,
May God turn
Their hearts;
And if He does not
Turn their hearts
May He turn
Their ankles.
So you’ll know them
By their limping.”
bobiden has been limping for some time.
GreekEmpress says
Biden has a lot of nerve asking Israel to do anything, imho.
Don McKellar says
It’s a tragedy that didn’t have to happen and Putin is 100% responsible. HOWEVER, every time we see human garbage like Soros and Hollywood celebs and globalists and the Biden controllers trying to back Ukraine, and the Democrat/RINO billions being sent, any thinking person knows that something is seriously wrong somewhere in this equation. So many innocent people are dead or their lives destroyed in this, and yet it’s almost completely certain that spending money or committing war hardware is the wrong thing to do because of the scum pushing for it have 100% proof records of deception and evil. This is awful.
somehistory says
Yes, evil and awful.
Jesus said the nations would be in “anguish” and “not know the way out.” I think some of the evil people in control believe they do know a “way out.” Arrogant and evil make for awful.
gravenimage says
Israel refuses Biden administration request to transfer missiles to Ukraine
………….
I think little Israel is being as supportive of Ukraine as possible given the threat that Russia also presents to them. Odd that no other nation is being pressured like this, even though many have shown far less support to Ukraine.
Roland says
I have seen PBS’s Christiane Amanpour demand that Richard Haas explain why Israel has stood back from the war. Similarly, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough harshly questioned William Cohen. Both Haas and Cohen rituallisticly replied that Israel will have to get with the program. How insulting and demeaning! Haas and Cohen don’t represent Israel. The behavior of Amanpour and Scarborough was ugly.
Melc says
I suggest John Mearsheimer’s comments on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He is a professional of International Relations and gives a very ‘realpolitik’ analysis which has a very complex background to its cause.
Melc says
I would recommend Prof John Mearsheimers analysis of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Its a very complex history.