Israel’s will not provide Ukraine with weapons, says Defense Minister
At a briefing to EU ambassadors, Gantz cited “operational concerns” said that Israel continues standing with the West. Kyiv replied in fury
Mandi Kogosowski
| 20/10/2022
Gantz briefing EU ambassadors, Wednesday. Photo: Ariel Hermony (MOD)
“Israel will not deliver weapon systems to Ukraine due to a variety of operational considerations. We will continue to support Ukraine within our limitations, as we have done in the past,” said Israeli Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, during a briefing to European Union Ambassadors held yesterday (Wednesday).
"Israel supports and stands with Ukraine, NATO and the West - this is something we have said in the past and repeat today. Israel has a policy of supporting Ukraine via humanitarian aid, and the delivery of life-saving defensive equipment,” Gantz added.
Israeli pundits believe that the main “operational considerations” to which Gantz is referring have to do with Russia’s major presence in Syria, especially its domination of the Syrian air space. Russia has so far been turning a blind eye to Israel’s operations there, and Jerusalem cannot afford to risk this delicate balance by Irking the Kremlin.
The Israeli concern is not only that Russia might prevent it from operating in Syria, but that it might provide Syria with aerial protection systems that would jeopardize the Israeli air force’s regional supremacy and would prove a military game-changer.
Kyiv, which wants anti-drone systems from Israel provided a furious retort to Gantz’s statement, replied furiously. “It’s like that joke that a person asks for a piece of bread and are offered a spoon instead. Unfortunately, this is Gantz’s traditional position,” said unnamed officials in the Ukrainian capital.
Later today, Gantz is expected to speak with Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov.
At a briefing to EU ambassadors, Gantz cited “operational concerns” said that Israel continues standing with the West. Kyiv replied in fury
Gantz briefing EU ambassadors, Wednesday. Photo: Ariel Hermony (MOD)
“Israel will not deliver weapon systems to Ukraine due to a variety of operational considerations. We will continue to support Ukraine within our limitations, as we have done in the past,” said Israeli Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, during a briefing to European Union Ambassadors held yesterday (Wednesday).
"Israel supports and stands with Ukraine, NATO and the West - this is something we have said in the past and repeat today. Israel has a policy of supporting Ukraine via humanitarian aid, and the delivery of life-saving defensive equipment,” Gantz added.
Israeli pundits believe that the main “operational considerations” to which Gantz is referring have to do with Russia’s major presence in Syria, especially its domination of the Syrian air space. Russia has so far been turning a blind eye to Israel’s operations there, and Jerusalem cannot afford to risk this delicate balance by Irking the Kremlin.
The Israeli concern is not only that Russia might prevent it from operating in Syria, but that it might provide Syria with aerial protection systems that would jeopardize the Israeli air force’s regional supremacy and would prove a military game-changer.
Kyiv, which wants anti-drone systems from Israel provided a furious retort to Gantz’s statement, replied furiously. “It’s like that joke that a person asks for a piece of bread and are offered a spoon instead. Unfortunately, this is Gantz’s traditional position,” said unnamed officials in the Ukrainian capital.
Later today, Gantz is expected to speak with Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov.
