President Zelenskyy and PM Netanyahu Forge Alliance Against Russian Aggression

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel held a meeting to discuss Israel's potential assistance in Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. The Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of Israel's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity during the meeting.

The two leaders explored possible avenues through which Israel could aid Ukraine in opposing Russia's invasion. While Israel has provided humanitarian and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine, it has refrained from supplying arms due to the need to coordinate its air strikes against Iranian targets in Syria with Russia, which has close ties to Damascus.

However, the meeting between Zelenskyy and Netanyahu also touched upon sustaining Israeli support for Ukrainian refugees residing in Israel and the advancement of development assistance for civilian air defense systems. In addition to discussing bilateral cooperation in addressing Ukraine's conflict with Russia, Netanyahu requested that Zelenskyy ensure the safety of Hasidic Jews participating in an annual pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine.

The city of Uman holds historical significance as the burial place of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a prominent figure who revitalized the Hasidic movement in the 19th century. Despite Ukraine's willingness to accommodate the pilgrims, concerns arose regarding the limited capacity of air raid shelters, which can only house 11,000 people, as Israel estimates that up to 50,000 individuals may take part in the pilgrimage.

In response to this security challenge, President Zelenskyy stressed the need for an emergency joint response, pledging to work in collaboration to address the situation effectively. Both leaders expressed their commitment to maintaining strong ties and finding ways to support each other in their respective challenges.