'Israel' to join anti-Russia sanctions

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Israeli media reported from government sources that "Israel" is planning on joining the list of parties that signed off on sanctions against Russia, provided the crisis in Ukraine continues to escalate.

Israeli i24news noted that policymakers in "Israel" realize they will not be able to preserve their current policies towards Russia's special operation in Donbass if things are not set straight.

The website reported from sources that if the escalation continues, then "Israel" would have to interfere more strongly and join Western efforts to enforce sanctions.

The government source, according to i24news, said that the US administration granted "Israel" a grace period, as it had assessed "Israel's" need to preserve its business relations with Russia. However, as the operation drags on, "Israel" would not be able to sit on the sidelines and would have to take a more clear-cut decision.

An Israeli cabinet committee is expected to present its recommendations to the government on Sunday regarding the sanctions that the occupation government can use against Russia, according to Israeli Channel 12.

"Israel" unofficially joins the US' sanctions against Russia

Israeli media noted that "Israel" had practically joined the sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia, preventing Russian aircraft sanctioned by the US to remain in Ben Gurion airport for more than 48 hours.

Yedioth Ahronoth also reported Israeli officials as saying on Saturday that similar guidelines were issued with regards to yachts that will be barred from docking in ports.

A senior Israeli official told the daily that Russian businessmen on the sanctions list will not be able to store their planes and yachts here, and "Israel" cannot be shown to be as a party that is willing to maneuver around the sanctions.

According to the paper, an Israeli sanctions committee will treat sanctions on a case-by-case basis, but seeing as many countries enforced sanctions against Russia, the main list according to which "Israel" will operate will be the US' list.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid had condemned  the "Russian attack on Ukraine "as "Israel" took the decision to criticize Russia in the wake of the Russian military's operation in Donbass.

Although a statement by the Israeli Foreign Ministry yesterday voiced support for "Ukraine's sovereignty," it stopped short of condemning Russia.

"Israel joins the concern of the international community over the deteriorating events in eastern Ukraine and is prepared to act in the interest of a diplomatic solution to return calm to the region if requested to do so. Israel supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on February 24.

Lapid later said on February 28 that "Israel" is carefully studying the importance of sanctions against Russia, and the Israelis have set up a team that will examine the consequences of the sanctions on "Israel" and its economy.