Zelensky Puts Israels Feet To The Fire!
Ukraine President Zelensky met with Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during the United Nations General Assembly on September 19, 2023. Zelensky put forward his wish list, which, in his own words, “was a lot.” Not for the first time, Netanyahu dodged any commitment to provide offensive military assistance. He was preferring to reiterate Israel’s pledge to provide ongoing humanitarian assistance.
While Zelensky harangues Israel for not doing more in Ukraines war with Russia his countries voting record on Israel at the UN General Assembly from 2015 to 2023 says a lot about the Ukraine-Israel relationship. Ukraine has not voted ever in favour of the Jewish State during this time period. While casting its vote against Israel 79% of 105 resolutions. Ukraine has abstained 28% during 28 resolutions. An example of where they stand with Israel is reflected in their Yes vote of 2022 on the resolution for Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,… . We could go on and on in the same vaine but for the sake of brevity we will leave Ukraines voting record here as it speaks for its self.
The facts are every country including Israel makes policy based on self-interest and it is not in the interest of Israel to antagonise Russia sitting on its northern border. That being said Ukraine is a complicated issue one not soley based on moral values.
The Ukraine-Russia war is lacking a clear-cut political objective, which in itself dooms itself to failure. There seems to be an assumption that America should act as the impartial moral arbiter of the two nations currently at each others throats, unaffected by national interest or geopolitics or alliances. In the real world, however, the ability to distinguish friends from opponents can get very murcky indeed. Such is the case of Israels relations with both Ukraine and Russia.
Zelensky needs to understand Israel has no binding obligation towards Ukraine and given its lack of support for Israels international standing is surely mind-boggling. Ukraines president needs to show some understanding for Israel’s definition of its vital interests.
