Israel’s Foreign Ministry to boost aid to Ukraine, including generators for hospital
Staff to provide assistance to Jewish and non-Jewish refugees at border crossings; officials believe around 2,000 Israelis remain in Ukraine more than a week into war
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
The Foreign Ministry announced Sunday a series of ongoing measures to provide further aid to Ukraine and to refugees fleeing the war-torn country.
The measures included the transfer of six giant electric generators to a Lviv hospital “that will allow continuous operation even without a power supply.”
Foreign Ministry staff stationed at Ukraine border crossings will provide aid and assistance to refugees — both Jews and non-Jews — with a focus on providing winter gear, the ministry said.
It also noted the establishment of an Israeli-staffed field hospital in Ukraine, confirmed on Saturday by the Health Ministry. The hospital will be operated by medical staff from Sheba Medical Center, Clalit Health Services, and other hospitals and is slated to begin operations this week.
The ministry said it will also facilitate the “ongoing transfer of humanitarian aid” to Ukraine and to bordering nations according to their needs.
So far Israel has sent 100 tons of humanitarian aid over the past week to Ukraine, which has included medical supplies, water purification systems, winter coats, sleeping bags and other items.
The Foreign Ministry said Sunday that it believes more than 10,000 Israelis have exited Ukraine over the past few weeks, including about 5,700 who fled since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Officials believe that approximately 2,000 Israeli citizens remain in Ukraine. The Foreign Ministry has said in the past that it does not believe that all Israeli citizens wish to leave.
Foreign Ministry officials have been set up at border crossings in Poland, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary to aid fleeing Israelis and Ukrainian Jews who are looking to move to Israel.
Israel has also taken in Ukrainian refugees who are not eligible or looking to immigrate to Israel.
On Sunday morning, the Population and Immigration Authority said that 2,034 Ukrainians have arrived in Israel since the start of Russia’s invasion, 112 of whom were denied entry to the country.
Israel has been criticized for not sending military to aid to Ukraine, as well as for declining to forcefully condemn Russia for its invasion.
Jerusalem is walking a thin tightrope between its two allies and is also attempting to serve as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow as the war rages on.
