Ukraine hoping Knesset passes bill that would see Israel hand over Russian-made weapons seized from Hezbollah

Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel

Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel says he discussed earlier today legislation that would see Jerusalem hand over Russian-made weapons seized from Hezbollah to Kyiv to aid in its war efforts.

Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk met earlier today with Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, according to a statement from the Ukrainian embassy, and discussed her suggestion that Israel “transfer to Ukraine Russian-made weapons seized by the IDF in Lebanon or elsewhere from Israel’s enemies.”

The Ukrainian embassy “expressed hope for a positive resolution of this matter.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, 60-70% of the weapons IDF troops seized during the start of its ground invasion of southern Lebanon were Russian-made.

Haskel introduced legislation in the Knesset in November that would see such Russian-made weapons handed over to Ukraine, which has been engaged in war with Russia since it invaded in February 2022. Successive Israeli governments have refused to send arms to Ukraine throughout the war, seeking to maintain delicate but strained relations with Moscow, and despite Haskel’s proposal, there is no indication that policy is going to change.

There was no immediate comment from the Foreign Ministry.

Most Popular