Israel summons Ukrainian ambassador after “repeated” criticism

Israel has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to the country, Yevhen Korniychuk, following repeated statements against Israeli policy, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian embassy in Tel Aviv wrote on its Facebook page on Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing religious government had unfortunately chosen “a path of close cooperation with Russia.

He added that he was doing a lot of business with Moscow.

“All relevant statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister have always aimed at justifying Israel’s complete inaction in providing Ukraine with defensive assistance over the past 1.5 years.’’

During an interview with the Jerusalem Post on June 22, Netanyahu had said there was concern that systems we give to Ukraine could be used against us because they could fall into Iranian hands.

Western anti-tank weapons were already on Israel’s borders, he said.

The Ukrainian embassy described these statements by Netanyahu as “entirely fictional and speculative’’.

The Ukrainian representation also claimed that senior Israeli officials had shown a blatant disregard for moral boundaries by attending a recent reception at the Russian embassy.

“Furthermore, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been dead silent regarding the regular anti-Semitic statements made by Russian President Vladimir, Putin and his minions.’’

Israel has condemned Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine several times and delivered humanitarian aid.

Overall, however, it has remained rather aloof, and has so far refused to supply weapons.

Moscow has great influence on the situation in Syria.

Israel wants to prevent its arch-enemy Iran and militias allied with it, such as Hezbollah, from expanding their military influence in the neighbouring country.

There is also a large Jewish community in Russia.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said a clarifying talk with Korniychuk was planned for July 3.

Israel wanted to continue cooperation with Ukraine and the ambassador’s actions were not helpful, it said.