Israeli PM condemns Russia over Ukraine war for first time
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The Israeli occupation escalates against Russia, with its prime minister moving to condemn Moscow's actions in Ukraine.
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Prime Minister Yair Lapid heads a cabinet meeting in occupied Al-Quds on July 31, 2022 (AP Photo)
Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid condemned Russia on Monday following reports about Russia shelling targets in Kiev on Monday night, marking the first time an Israeli prime minister has issued a condemnation against Moscow.
"I strongly condemn the Russian attacks on the civilian population in Kiev and other cities across Ukraine. I send our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and the Ukrainian people," Lapid said.
The Israeli occupation is ready to help Kiev against Russia in the ongoing war but without crossing the "red lines" that could undermine "Tel Aviv's" security, the Israeli occupation's ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, said last week.
"Tel Aviv" in recent weeks underlined that it would not be recognizing Russia's newest territories added following popular referenda, namely Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson, as Russian territories.
Lapid had condemned Moscow over the Ukraine war in the early days of the conflict when he was Foreign Minister in Naftali Bennett's cabinet.
Still, the Israeli occupation has refused to join the West's bid in arming Ukraine, arguing that it would harm its already sensitive ties with Russia.
However, due to "Israel's" support of Ukraine, tensions soared between "Tel Aviv" and Moscow, prompting the latter to close the "Jewish Agency for Israel's" work in Russia, giving rise to further tensions.
Meretz leader Zehava Gal-ON called on "Tel Aviv" to send missile systems to Ukraine, which Kiev has long been requesting from its allies.
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador to Russia, Alexander Ben Zvi, over a statement by Yair Lapid when he was foreign minister in April, when he condemned Russia's practices in Ukraine, describing them as "war crimes".
In addition to the Jewish Agency issue between "Israel" and Russia, a dual-citizen Israeli-Ukrainian by the name of Vladimir Kozlovsky was captured in the Lugansk People's Republic as he was fighting among the mercenaries siding with Ukraine. It is evident that his release will not take place easily in light of the lack of trust between "Israel" and Russia.
