- October 3, 2024
- 10:23 pm
- Ukraine
“From the very first days, Israel condemned Russia’s aggression… including… at the level… of the Prime Minister: at the beginning of the war, he condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.”
“A special department has been created in the (Israeli) Foreign Ministry to ensure that Israeli official and private structures do not act in circumvention of the American and European sanctions imposed against Russia after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.”
“The early warning system provided to Ukraine by Israel has not yet started working… – we have fulfilled our promises and conveyed to the Ukrainian side everything that we had to convey… We have fulfilled everything that we promised.”
Michael Brodsky, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Ukraine, gave a long interview “Mirror of the week. Ukraine”published on October 3, 2024, in which he addressed a number of important topics related to Israeli foreign policy, its relations with Russia and Ukraine, and the impact of international conflicts on Israeli security.
Below are excerpts from the interview, which can be found in full at “Mirror of the week. Ukraine”,.
1. Long-term problems of the Arab-Israeli conflict
Brodsky emphasizes that the Arab-Israeli conflict remains one of the most difficult problems in the Middle East. He notes that peace is possible only when Israel's neighbors are ready to recognize its right to exist. Over the 76 years of the conflict, there have been many attempts to find a peaceful solution, but most of them were unsuccessful. According to Brodsky, even when hopes for progress arise, they are often dashed Arab countries' unwillingness to compromise. He argues that without the active participation of Arab states in the peace process, real progress cannot be made.
2. Threat from Iran
One of the key topics discussed by Brodsky is threat posed by Iran. He argues that Israel cannot afford to ignore Iran's nuclear ambitions and its military cooperation with Russia, which includes the supply of drones. The Ambassador believes that Iran is a significant threat not only to Israel, but to the entire regionespecially if he achieves the creation of nuclear weapons. Brodsky emphasizes: “If Iran becomes a nuclear power, it could have serious security consequences in the Middle East.”. He also calls on the international community to take greater action to prevent Iran's nuclear program.
3. Israel’s attitude to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict
Although Israel has not imposed formal sanctions against Russia, Brodsky reports that Israeli companies have largely complied with Western sanctions. He also expresses concern due to the fact that some Russian politicians openly support terrorist organizations such as Hamas. In his opinion, such actions only aggravate the conflict and cast doubt on the possibility of peaceful dialogue.
— You they said What Israel With first days condemned aggression Russia. On which level?
– At the highest level – at the level of state leaders. Including foreign ministers – former and current. At the level of our representative at the UN, including during voting in the Organization. Of course, at the level of the ambassador to Ukraine.
— A Prime Minister?
— And the Prime Minister: at the beginning of the war, he condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
— IN Moscow called elimination leader Hezbollah next “political murder”…
“Unfortunately, this is nothing new. This is another statement that indirectly supports terrorism.
— Except verbal expressions discontent, V how more manifests itself yours disagreement With actions Russia?
— Israel did not formally impose sanctions on Russia, because such a mechanism does not exist in Israel. But since we are part of the Western world, we do not act around these sanctions and our trade contacts with Russia are kept to a minimum. A special department has been created at the Foreign Ministry to ensure that Israeli official and private structures do not act in circumvention of American and European sanctions imposed against Russia after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
If you pay attention, in principle our contacts with Russia are reduced to the necessary minimum.
4. Possibilities of military assistance to Ukraine
Regarding military assistance to Ukraine, Brodsky emphasizes that although Israel is interested in assistance, the issue of providing weapons such as Patriot systems remains open. “At the moment we do not have a final decision on this issue, but we are ready to discuss possible options for cooperation”. He also added that the early warning system developed in Israel is ready for implementation in Ukraine, and awaits further steps from the Ukrainian authorities.
— Why to these since then Not earned system early alerts, provided Ukraine Israel?
— The question is for Ukraine, not for us. We have fulfilled everything we promised. Therefore, contact your structures involved in the implementation of the Israeli system.
The only information I have from our military who worked on this system is that we fulfilled our promises and handed over to the Ukrainian side everything that we had to hand over. It was quite a long process, lasting many months. From our side it is finished.
5. Technology and restoration of Ukraine
In an interview, Brodsky emphasized that Israel can play an important role in the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war, using its experience in the field health, infrastructure and water management. He noted that Israeli technology can help solve many problems facing Ukraine, especially in such critical areas as energy and agriculture.
Brodsky expressed confidence that cooperation between Israel and Ukraine will be beneficial for both countries. Israel has significant experience in post-conflict reconstruction, and this experience can form the basis for a mutually beneficial partnership.
Conclusion
— When V Ukraine will come prime minister Netanyahu?
— I think that immediately after the visit of President Zelensky.
— A When expected visit Zelensky?
— I think you need to ask Zelensky about this. We are ready to accept it at any moment. This is a necessary visit for both our countries. And we will be glad if he comes to Israel.
— IN this situations important, to first committed visit Zelensky?
– Actually, not necessarily. I do not rule out that a visit by our Prime Minister will take place.
But I would like to remind you that during the war there were several visits of Israeli delegations to Ukraine. A year and a half ago, our Minister of Foreign Affairs came. There were parliamentary delegations. But there was no visit at the highest level. However, unfortunately, recently there have been no visits from Ukraine to Israel – neither by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, nor by any other member of the government. I think this is due to the fact that each country is busy waging its own war. Therefore, the opportunities for our leaders to travel abroad are significantly limited.
Fortunately, President Zelensky has such an opportunity: he often visits Ukraine’s partner countries. Our Prime Minister rarely travels abroad. His trip to the UN General Assembly is rather an exception to the rule. The Prime Minister does not travel abroad due to the fact that his presence is necessary during the military operations that Israel has been waging for a year.
Thus, Michael Brodsky's interview highlights the difficult political situation in which Israel finds itself, as well as its willingness to actively participate in solving international problems, including supporting Ukraine and countering threats from Iran. These statements reflect Israel's strategic policy in the face of current global challenges.
