The Israeli government has condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine, with foreign minister Yair Lapir calling it a "severe violation" of international order.
In a statement, Mr. Lapid said that Israel would stand by Jews in both Ukraine and Russia saying: "Israel has deep, long-lasting, and good relations with Russia and with Ukraine. There are tens of thousands of Israelis in both countries, and there are hundreds of thousands of Jews in both countries. Maintaining their security and safety is at the top of our considerations."
Yair Lapid has condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine saying: “It is a severe violation of international order. Israel condemns the attack and is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Ukraine."
— The Jewish Chronicle (@JewishChron) February 24, 2022
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In the first Israeli public statement against Russia since the Georgian war in 2008, 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.
Earlier this week, the Israeli government announced they were moving the embassy to Lviv. In a tweet the foreign ministry said: "Following a situation assessment at @IsraelMFA, as well as discussions with various international actors, FM @yairlapid has decided to instruct staff at the Israeli Embassy in Kiev to move to consular offices opened in the city of Lviv in western Ukraine."
