Israel to support UN condemnation of Russia, foreign minister says

Yair Lapid says Israel will stand 'on the right side of history' and in line with its values as it is bound by duty and history; adds U.S. knows Israel shares security border with Russia in Syria
Itamar Eichner|
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement on Monday that Israel will support a UN resolution condemning Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
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  • Russia faces deepening economic isolation four days after invading Ukraine in the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two.
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    יאיר לפיד
    יאיר לפיד
    Foreign Minister Yair Lapid
    (Photo: GPO)
    "Israel will join and vote in favor of the resolution, together will the vast majority of countries," Lapid said in a briefing to reporters in the Foreign Ministry, adding Israel will "stand on the right side of history".
    The resolution is set to be put up for a vote at the UN later on Monday or Tuesday.
    Lapid said that Israel will take part in the international efforts to provide assistance to Ukrainians. "We have a moral and historic duty and a duty to our own values, to be part of the effort," he said.
    The minister said three planes carrying emergency equipment will leave for Ukraine soon, which include thousands of winter coats, blankets, sleeping bags, medical supplies, tents and water purification equipment.
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    פליטים שברחו מאוקראינה מגיעים למחנה זמני בפולין
    פליטים שברחו מאוקראינה מגיעים למחנה זמני בפולין
    Displaced Ukrainians in makeshift camps near the Polish border
    (Photo: Reuters )
    "The country will stand with its greatest ally - the United States, but our American partners understand that certain points compound us to tread lightly," he said.
    "In many respects we share a security border with Russia which has a substantial military force in Syria and our cooperation apparatus enables us to act resolutely against Iranian entrenchment on our northern border," he said.
    Lapid said there was also concern for Israelis and Jews still stranded in Ukraine. He said 4,000 Israelis were already extracted since the fighting began, but many more are still there and unable to leave.
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    אלן ומורד
    אלן ומורד
    Ukrainians wait to cross into Poland
    There were also 100,000 Jews allowed to immigrate to Israel, under the law of return.
    "We will do all that is needed so as not to leave any Israeli or Jew behind. That is what Israel was founded on, but the challenge is great because of the hundreds of thousands of refugees attempting to leave Ukraine."
    Lapid said Israel was carefully considering the implications of sanctions imposed on Russia and the government has already assembled an inter-ministerial committee to "review their effects on Israel's economy and on our policies".
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