‘Israel Can’t Be Middleman in Ukraine-Russia Conflict,’ MK Edelstein Says

Pro-Ukraine protesters gather outside Knesset, demand tougher Israeli response to ongoing war

Israel cannot mediate between Ukraine and Russia to help stop hostilities and should instead focus on humanitarian assistance, Knesset Member Yuli Edelstein (Likud) said on Monday.

Speaking at the official relaunch event of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus in Jerusalem, Edelstein, who was born in Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union), said that his prayers were with the people of Ukraine who are currently amid a “bloody conflict.”

Likud lawmaker Yuli Edelstein speaks at the official relaunch event of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus in Jerusalem, Feb. 28 2022. (Yosee Gamzoo Letova)

“It’s really very difficult for me personally,” Edelstein said. “As someone who was born in Ukraine, never lived there, and lived most of his life in then-Soviet Russia – to see and to imagine that this is what is going on.”

When asked by The Media Line what role he sees Israel taking as the war in Europe rages on, the former Knesset speaker and health minister said that he believes that Israel is doing all that it can now.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think that Israel could be – as some people think – a kind of middleman and try to settle the conflict,” the lawmaker said. “This is not something that I think any Israeli leaders can do right now.

“I think that we should send humanitarian help,” he continued. “We should take care of all those Israelis and Jews who want to leave and come to Israel.”

Israel is sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the form of water purification kits, medical equipment, tents, medicines, and sleeping bags.

Several Israeli airlines are also set to begin rescue flights for Israelis stranded in the area this week. Israir, Arkia, and El Al will fly Israelis that have crossed the Ukrainian border and are currently stuck in Romania, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.

The Russo-Ukrainian War has demonstrated why Israel needs to be self-reliant and boost its defense capabilities, Edelstein noted.

“Unfortunately, and present company excluded obviously, but when push comes to shove, from many places we will hear great speeches and a lot of moral support, but when some crazies like the Iranians will decide that it’s time for them to act, then we’ll have to rely on the IDF, Mossad, and everyone in our defense community,” he asserted. “I don’t see that even good friends can do much in this terrible situation that we are facing several thousands of miles away from here.”

Israeli officials have mostly remained mum on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stopped short of condemning Moscow’s actions. Both Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have asked lawmakers to keep a low profile on the issue, most likely due to Jerusalem’s delicate relations with Moscow and its military coordination with Russian forces in Syria. Israel has allegedly conducted many airstrikes aimed at pro-Iranian militias in Syria over the years, though it usually refrains from confirming or denying such reports.

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid announced that Israel would vote in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning the Russian invasion.

“Israel was and is on the right side of history,” Lapid said. “We have a moral duty and historical obligation to be part of the effort.”

Edelstein and Lapid’s statements came the same day that dozens of pro-Ukrainian protesters gathered outside the Knesset to demand that the Israeli government take a tougher stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Pro-Ukraine protesters stand in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem to demand a stronger response from the Israeli government, Feb. 28 2022. (Maya Margit/The Media Line)

“Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett must condemn Putin,” a protester named Marc told The Media Line. “My father lives in Moscow and is facing insane dangers and the risk of nuclear war and World War III. We have to put an end to it, condemn Putin and do whatever it takes to stop this war.”

Demonstrators waved Ukrainian and Israeli flags and chanted slogans calling for an end to the war, as many cars and buses driving by honked their horns in a show of support.

Nastya, a Russian-born woman who immigrated to Israel last August, said that she had friends in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

“My Ukrainian friends are not at home, and I can’t just be calm here,” she told The Media Line. “Putin is not Russia. Putin is just one man and not even a man. I call on the Israeli government to at least give Ukraine the Iron Dome Missile Defense System or to do something about Putin.”