Apollonian
Guest Columnist
Zelensky ‘shocked by lack of support from Israel’
Link: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-718016"I didn't understand what happened. I don't understand why they can't supply us with anti-aircraft missiles. Israel has provided us with nothing. Nothing. Zero."
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFPublished: SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 19:33
Updated: SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 22:08
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
(photo credit: Photo edit by Jpost Staff of photos by: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO, REUTERS)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky lashed out at Israel during an interview with French television network TV5Monde on Friday, saying that he was “shocked” by Israel’s lack of support for the Ukrainian war effort.
“I didn’t understand what happened. I don’t understand why they can’t supply us with anti-aircraft missiles, Israel has provided us with nothing. Nothing. Zero.”
“I do not blame the leaders, I state the facts: there were discussions. You can see Russia’s influence on Israel. I understand that they need to protect their country, but according to my intelligence, they continue to export weapons to other countries,” the Ukrainian president said.
This is not the first time that Zelensky points an accusing finger at Israel
In a speech before the Hebrew University last June, Zelensky spoke with both students and faculty members: “Tell me how you can’t help the victims? You and millions of others in the world. It’s hard for me to be interviewed by journalists from Israel, I simply don’t know what to answer.”"I [give] thanks to the citizens of Israel and to you for supporting Israel, I [give] thanks for hanging Ukrainian flags in the streets and for all the words of support, but we would also like to receive support from your government," he said.
In March, Zelensky said in an online speech to Knesset members that "in Israel, we know very well that Iron Dome, your missile interception system, is the best. We know that you know how to stand up and protect your interests and also help Ukraine protect the Jews of Ukraine.
"One can often ask why we cannot receive weapons from you, why Israel did not impose serious sanctions on Russia? Why not apply pressure? You have to give answers to these questions and then live with your response. The Ukrainians made a choice 80 years ago, we saved Jews and that is why we have members of Hasidei Olam among us," The Ukrainian president said.
Ukrainian ambassador lashes out at Liberman
Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Kornichuk also lashed out – at Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman following what he called his "neutrality" regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine during an interview with Newsru on Wednesday.Following Liberman's interview about the war, in which he did not directly condemn Russian actions in Ukraine, Kornichuk said that "it is unthinkable that Liberman would not strongly condemn the attacking side."
"Ukraine was dragged by Russia into this bloody war and our citizens are paying a very heavy price every single day," the ambassador said in a statement on Wednesday. "I am shocked by Mr. Liberman's indifference toward the crimes that the Ukrainian people have experienced at the hands of the Russians."
