Israel to vote against Russia at UN General Assembly session on Ukraine
Israel will vote in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, days after it refused to co-sponsor a similar measure in the Security Council that disappointed the United States.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said on Monday that Israel had a responsibility to both condemn Russia for its actions in Ukraine and provide humanitarian assistance.
"Israel will join and vote in favour, along with the overwhelming majority of nations," Lapid said.
On Friday, Israel refused to co-sponsor a similar US-led resolution in the Security Council that condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Axios reported on Sunday that the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed her disappointment to her Israeli counterpart over Israel's decision.
In an apparent reference to the disagreement over the earlier resolution, Lapid said the US understands its delicate relations with Moscow, due to the presence of Russian forces in Syria that coordinate with Israel, as well as the large number of Jews in Ukraine.
"Russia is the most significant military force in Syria, and our mechanism of cooperation with them is aiding our determined struggle against the establishment of an Iranian [presence] on our northern border."
Lapid said that while approximately 4,000 Israelis have already left Ukraine, there were thousands of Israelis still there, and around 180,000 people who are entitled to Israeli citizenship if they choose.
"Ukraine is a difficult battle zone, but we are committed to a sacred principle — we will do everything not to leave any Israeli behind, any Jew behind."
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
