Shared Heritage, Divided Loyalties: Russian and Ukrainian Immigrants to Israel Face Identity Struggles Amid War

More than 100,000 new immigrants from Russia and Ukraine are integrating into Israeli society, but they face the challenge of reconciling their shared Jewish identity with the divisions and trauma of the ongoing war

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Israel has become a refuge for more than 100,000 Russian and Ukrainian Jews fleeing the conflict. They have gained Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return, bound by their Jewish heritage. Yet, the war has stirred deep emotional and cultural tensions, complicating their integration into Israeli society despite shared trauma.

A recent University of Haifa study explored the psychological impact of the war on the descendants of Holocaust survivors. Researchers Lee Greenblatt-Kimron, Amit Shrira, Menachem Ben-Ezra, and Yuval Palgi found that second- and third-generation descendants reported higher levels of anxiety and distress compared to those without Holocaust survivor backgrounds.

“Findings suggest a specific vulnerability due to intergenerational transmission of trauma in Holocaust survivor families, including increased preoccupation with and perceptiveness to potential threats of human-induced trauma,” the researchers stated.

Can Ukrainians and Russians in Israel overcome the communication barriers and emotional wounds caused by the war? What influences their relationships more—their shared Jewish heritage and current lives, or the deep divisions from their countries of origin?

Through personal stories shared with The Media Line, Russian and Ukrainian immigrants in Israel reveal the complex challenges they confront.

Sasha, a 31-year-old psychologist from Novosibirsk, Russia, moved to Israel a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine. Like many Russians, she found the invasion shocking and distressing. “For about a month, I hoped the war would end quickly or that something would change,” she recalls. “At first, I couldn’t understand how anyone could support the war, but then I realized that many see it as a ‘holy, liberating war.’ That’s when I knew it wasn’t for me,” she tells The Media Line.

Sasha’s move to Israel wasn’t solely to escape the war. Having worked in the Jewish community for years, she had strong ties that eased her transition. “Israel wasn’t my dream destination, but it was the most comfortable option for relocation,” she admits.

Sasha’s interactions with Ukrainians in Israel are characterized by mutual understanding and solidarity rather than hostility.

“I’ve encountered many Ukrainians in both my work and personal life. I even shared a room with a Ukrainian woman for four months, and it was a positive, even humorous experience. We had no conflicts, even when she occasionally spoke Ukrainian before apologizing and switching to Russian. We even attended an anti-war protest together,” she recalls.

“I’ve never faced hostility from Ukrainians in Israel. We occasionally talk about the war, but I feel comfortable because I’m honest with myself and them. Being Russian doesn’t define who I am; my friends know I oppose the government but appreciate the culture,” Sasha adds.

What unites Ukrainians and Russians here isn’t their Jewish heritage, but a shared sense of pain

“In my view, what unites Ukrainians and Russians here isn’t their Jewish heritage, but a shared sense of pain and the understanding of how unbearable the situation is. Openly discussing the war with my Ukrainian friends has brought us even closer,” she explains.

Sasha acknowledges that identity in Israel is complex. “In Israel, we’re not primarily seen as Jews but as Russians, Ukrainians, or Belarusians. Still, my Jewish background matters—without my involvement in Jewish organizations, I wouldn’t have such close friendships with Ukrainians.”

Rabbi Binyamin Minich, originally from Ukraine, is recognized for his work mentoring new Israeli citizens from former Soviet republics. As part of the Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism, he frequently engages with immigrants who have relocated to Israel due to the ongoing conflict.

“Since the 1990s, people from post-Soviet countries in Israel were all labeled ‘Russians,’ regardless of whether they came from Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus. If you spoke Russian, you were considered Russian,” Minich tells The Media Line.

After the war began, this generalization changed. “As someone from Ukraine, it became important to clarify my origins. In the 1990s, this distinction wasn’t as significant, but since the war, it has become crucial,” Minich emphasizes, noting that many Ukrainians in Israel now seek to distinguish themselves from Russians.

“The war has impacted Ukrainians the hardest, with many losing their homes and being personally affected. As a result, they are increasingly emphasizing their Ukrainian identity and distancing themselves from anything Russian, even if they share the language,” Minich explains, highlighting the emotional toll on Ukrainian immigrants in Israel.

“Many Russians who have moved to Israel adopt an apologetic tone, often saying, ‘I’m not Putin, I don’t support the war.’ However, Ukrainians may still harbor hostility, even when these Russians are polite,” Minich adds.

“Although Russian-speaking communities in Israel share a common language, underlying tensions persist. Ukrainians generally avoid escalating conflicts and may distance themselves when misunderstandings arise. Still, the divisions and pain from the war remain,” Minich concludes.

Nadya, a 22-year-old from Ukraine, joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after immigrating to Israel in 2022, when the war in Ukraine began. She agrees with Minich about the tensions between Ukrainians and Russians in Israel but also notes a sense of unity.

“I serve in the IDF with people from Ukraine, Russia, Canada, Colombia, and Argentina. We all get along well, living, eating, and working as a unit,” she told The Media Line.

Though relationships are generally positive, Nadya recognizes the sensitivity around political discussions, particularly about the war. “In the army, we avoid discussing politics or religion, so the war between Ukraine and Russia isn’t a frequent topic. Everyone knows it’s happening, but it’s uncomfortable to discuss,” she explains.

One of Nadya’s challenges in Israel is that Ukrainians are often grouped with the Russian-speaking community. “It’s difficult because, to me, Russia is an aggressor, and that affects my interactions with Russians here,” she says.

When I interact with Russians, I remind myself they fled the war. I don’t blame them personally, but I need them to acknowledge Russia’s actions.

Despite her discomfort, Nadya seeks understanding over confrontation. “When I interact with Russians, I remind myself they fled the war. I don’t blame them personally, but I need them to acknowledge Russia’s actions. That’s what matters most to me—recognition,” she explains.

Nadya is also exploring her Jewish identity. “I’m taking the ‘Nativ’ course to learn about Judaism because my grandfather was Jewish. Since I didn’t grow up with Jewish traditions, it’s hard to feel fully Jewish. But after two years in Israel and serving in the army, I feel more like an Israeli citizen,” she shares.

Reflecting on the emotional toll of having roots in both Ukraine and Israel, two countries at war, Nadya admits, “It’s hard. There’s war in Ukraine and war in Israel, and it all adds up, making life more complicated.”

Nikita, a 28-year-old student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, moved to Israel from Russia in July 2022.

“I arrived with just a small suitcase, not planning to stay,” Nikita tells The Media Line. “But after a week or two, I thought, why not stay for good? I had considered it for years, and the opportunity was there, so I stayed.”

Regarding his interactions with Ukrainians in Israel, Nikita says, “I regularly meet Ukrainians at university, on programs, or at work. There are four Ukrainians in my group. Honestly, if I didn’t ask where people were from, it would be hard to tell. Our mentalities are similar, aside from a few linguistic quirks. Sometimes we discuss the war. When you’re in long-term contact with someone, it comes up, and it’s interesting to see different perspectives.”

The world is turning its back on Russians, which only strengthens the regime

Although he supports Ukrainians, Nikita criticizes the global treatment of Russians. “The world is turning its back on Russians, which only strengthens the regime. As people become isolated, they grow more loyal to the system. I believe this collective responsibility approach is counterproductive,” he adds.

“At one point, I considered visiting Ukraine with my Israeli passport to see the aftermath of the war. But a Ukrainian friend told me she wouldn’t welcome Russians visiting during the war. I thought about it and agreed. Now, after experiencing war in Israel, the idea of visiting Ukraine has faded,” Nikita shares.

Nikita believes that the identity of Ukrainian and Russian immigrants in Israel is still evolving. “Some are waiting to see if they’ll return to their home countries, while others are slowly integrating into Israeli society. You can see them becoming more involved in Israeli culture, and that’s a positive development,” he concludes.