ISRAEL AND UKRAINIAN CONFLICT

The Israeli leadership's attitude towards the Ukrainian conflict is closely related to the specific internal and foreign policy of the State of Israel. Israel's approach is less strategic and more tactical. Its refusal to extend valuable military assistance to Ukraine is centered on narrow regional operational concerns (in Syria and conflict with Iran) and not on matters of geopolitical positioning. Israel hopes to maintain its partnership with Washington without alienating Moscow. The Jewish state tries to avoid Western pressure to «choose a side» and instead be guided by concrete Israeli interests. Israel relies less on the notion that Israelis should trust Washington to defend their interests but follow self-reliance the consequences to its own defense. Ukrainians have been puffing harsh demands to increase Israeli financial and military support and shift its declaratory policy in favor of Kiev. But Jerusalem clearly aware this step would lead to crossing red lines» marked by Moscow which threatens the Israeli's security interests. Israel takes into account Russian influence in the region and prefers to keep its cooperative ties with Kremlin. Israel remains Washington's closest ally in the Middle East, but Biden administration and collective West expectations that the Israelis government to act like it were mostly not met. Israel has maintained a passive stance on Ukraine despite mounting pressure by Western allies.