Israel reveals why it won't supply Ukraine with its air defense systems
Israel refuses to transfer any lethal weapons, including air defense systems, to Ukraine but sends humanitarian aid and medical equipment.
Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who is leaving his post, stated this, the Jerusalem Post quotes.
"It is clear that even if we decide to change our policy [regarding the supply of arms to Ukraine], we can't empty our stockpile of air defense systems," Gantz stressed.
In addition, Israel does not have the production capacity to send air defense systems.
The Israeli government is also concerned that any advanced weapons delivered could end up in Iranian hands.
The publication noted that the official's statement was made amid Kyiv continuing to insist that Jerusalem supply weapons to Ukraine.
After all, the country is currently suffering from russian missile strikes and Iranian-made drone attacks.
What aid did Israel provide during the war?
Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Israel has not supplied Ukraine with any weapons.
It limited the aid to humanitarian goods and medical assistance to Ukrainians who suffered from military operations.
Benny Gantz explained the refusal to hand over lethal weapons to Kyiv by "operational limitations and many operational considerations."
At the same time, foreign media reports that Israel provides intelligence assistance to Ukraine and has offered assistance in developing systems for early warning of attacks.
Although Gantz has repeatedly stated that Israel cannot provide air defense systems, several non-lethal systems can be supplied to Kyiv.
Thus, the Jerusalem Post, citing sources in the defense department, indicates that Israel is daily considering the possibilities of assisting Ukraine
Ukraine's position
We will remind you that the government of Ukraine repeatedly appealed to Israel and asked to start helping with the supply of weapons.
On October 18, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, said that Kyiv would send an official note to the Israeli government and ask it to supply air defense systems immediately and to start "quality cooperation regarding the acquisition of appropriate technologies by Ukraine."
The letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel states that Kyiv is interested in the Iron Beam, Barak-8, Patriot, Iron Dome, David's Sling, or the Arrow Interceptor system, as well as in training support for Ukrainian operators.
"If Israel's policy consistently counters Iran's destructive actions, then it is time for Israel to side with Ukraine openly," Kuleba said.
Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Nachman Shai, also spoke with a call to supply arms to Ukraine. However, the then Prime Minister of the country, Yair Lapid, called his point of view a private opinion, which does not coincide with the state's official position.
