Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said today that Israel will join the UN General Assembly resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Israel has a moral responsibility to both condemn Russia and give humanitarian assistance, said Lapid, adding that “Israel was and is on the right side of history.” He noted that three planes will leave Israel for Ukraine today and tomorrow with humanitarian aid.
Reports in Israel over the past few days have noted that Jerusalem was uncomfortable with formally speaking out against the Russian invasion. Lapid did condemn the Russian attack on Ukraine Feb. 24, but Prime Minister Naftali Bennett did not follow up with a condemnation of his own. Despite a request from the United States to co-sponsor a UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia’s actions, Israel refrained from doing so. As UN procedures enable members to back resolution drafts submitted to the council without being a member, 81 countries agreed to cosponsor the American resolution against Russia.
