While Israel has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine and expressed their disapproval of the Russian invasion, it has thus far avoided following suit with the U.S. and other allies in supplying military weapons, specifically missile defense systems to fend off Russian airstrikes.
Israel has in their possession some of the best air defense systems in the world, including the Arrow 3, Iron Dome, and the latest Iron Beam laser-based missile defense system — all of which could provide precious protection to Ukraine as it faces regular air and missile attacks from Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Israel for not offering military aid, saying in September that he was “shocked” by their failure to supply anti-air defense systems.
Reports have been released stating that Israeli intelligence has been monitoring the situation in Ukraine, and Israeli drone experts have been on the ground there for some time to examine the alleged Iranian drones that Kyiv has been able to shoot down.
On Monday Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Nachman Shai said that military aid should be provided to Ukraine in light of Iran’s possible supplying of weapons to Russia.
“This morning it was reported that Iran is transferring ballistic missiles to Russia. There is no longer any doubt where Israel should stand in this bloody conflict. The time has come for Ukraine to receive military aid as well, just as the USA and NATO countries provide,” he wrote on Twitter.