A number of weeks in the past, the US armed forces despatched to Ukraine weapons it had saved in Israel for emergency use.
A well-informed Israeli supply stated in an unique assertion to Anadolu: “American equipment that was stored in Israel was transferred to the American armed forces (and then to Ukraine) a few weeks ago at their request.”
Israel has declined to ship Israeli weapons to Ukraine regardless of repeated requests by the Ukrainian authorities. Since the start of the conflict final February, Israel has restricted itself to sending humanitarian gear to Ukraine.
However, Nimrod Goren, the pinnacle of Mitvim-The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, advised Anadolu that this step might not characterize as huge a change because it appears at first look.
“The talk is about American weapons stored in Israel. They are not Israeli weapons, and the decision to transfer them is an American decision and does not reflect an Israeli position.”
He added: “Israel has repeatedly declared that it will not supply Ukraine with weapons and that it will suffice with humanitarian aid. Therefore, in terms of what the Israeli position is, I do not think that this step represents a change in the rules of the game.”
According to The New York Times, about 150,000 artillery shells from stockpiles in Israel had been transferred to Ukraine.
But Arkady Mil-Man, a senior researcher and head of the Russia Program on the Institute for National Security Studies, advised the Israel Broadcasting Corporation: “It is unlikely that the Russians will receive this news well. Even today, Israel has refrained from supplying offensive weapons to Ukraine. By doing so from stocks in Israel, Israel has involuntarily supported Ukraine.”
However, he famous that “the Russians understand that this is American ammunition, and that Israel does not have many options when facing considerations of transferring American weapons systems around the world. Therefore, this decision will not decisively affect Israeli-Russian relations.”
GOOD TIES WITH PUTIN
The Israeli place is anticipated to turn into clearer at a gathering this weekend of dozens of nations at Ramstein base in Germany to debate boosting army support to Ukraine.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated on Wednesday {that a} senior Israeli Defense Ministry consultant will participate within the assembly.
“Dror Shalom, director of the Politico-Military Affairs Office of the Israeli Defense Ministry, participated in previous meetings, but this time the meeting is much more important because it will discuss the supply of tanks and advanced equipment to Ukraine in preparation for the broad offensive that Russia will launch in the spring, as expected by the West,” the Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated.
“Israel, of course, will not help militarily, but its mere participation in the meeting is expected to spark anger in Moscow,” it stated.
Goren stated that Israel’s political heart is speaking loudly concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, whereas the suitable wing is extra cautious.
“Netanyahu has good relations with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and wants to maintain these relations, and as Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said, the current government’s policy will talk less about Ukraine.”
“Humanitarian aid to Ukraine may continue, while reducing the tone of criticism of Russia compared to the criticism that (former Prime Minister Yair) Lapid directed at Moscow,” he stated.
Goren said that the Netanyahu authorities “will certainly try to be on the side of the United States of America, but in a way that gives Israel room to maneuver in this regard.”
