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Europe unhappy with Israel's reluctance to sanction Russia

While European capitals would like to see Israel join the sanctions packages enacted by the West against Russia, they have expressed understanding of Israel’s delicate position.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

BRUSSELS — European Union members are expected to adopt a fifth sanctions package against Russia tonight or tomorrow, but Israel is not expected to change its stance on the issue. So far, Israel has been implementing some of the banking sanctions adopted by the United States and European Union members against Russian financial institutions, but Jerusalem has not adopted any official sanctions policy. Israeli diplomatic sources have argued that Israel does not have the legal tools to do so, but admitted that Jerusalem would rather not enact sanctions against Moscow.

In his Zoom speech to the Knesset March 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Israel to enact sanctions and assist his country with weapons.

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