Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid has reaffirmed his government's commitment to Ukraine, pledging to ship thousands of tons of aid to civilians in the country.
In a series of tweets, the foreign ministry of Israel confirmed the country's intentions to cosponsor a resolution in the UN condemning the Russian invasion.
Remarks by FM @yairlapid:
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) February 28, 2022
Today is the fifth day of the war in Ukraine. The UN will vote today or tomorrow on a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Israel will cosponsor and vote in favor of the resolution (1/11)
He also said: "Israel will be part of the international effort to assist the people of Ukraine. We have a moral, historical, and ethical obligation to be part of this effort.
"Today and tomorrow, three planes will depart Israel for Ukraine with a large shipment of emergency aid. Thousands of coats, blankets, and sleeping bags, medical equipment, tents, and water purification equipment.
"Israel has been and will be on the right side of history. Those are our values."
Last week, as war broke out in Ukraine, Lapid urged the violence to end. He said: “Israel is a country that has experienced wars, and war is not the way to resolve conflicts. The first hours and days of any war are also the last time you can still stop and return to the negotiating table, mediated by world powers, to settle disputes peacefully.”
Israeli diplomats are stationed in the west of Ukraine, at the temporary embassy in Lviv and are on standby to help citizens leave the country. There are representatives at Ukraine's borders with Poland, Moldova, Slovakia and Romania ready to help the estimated 7000-8000 Israelis get to Israel.
Israeli ambassador Michael Brodsky have said that the embassy is settled in Lviv currently, but has plans to evacuate to Poland should it become necessary. There's also additional support for Israelis on the Polish side of the border.
