Israel has offered to help Ukraine in developing an early-warning system but will not provide weapon systems, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Wednesday.
"Our policy vis-a-vis Ukraine will not change - we will continue to support and stand with the West, we will not provide weapon systems. We have asked the Ukrainians to share information regarding their needs, and offered to assist in developing a life-saving early-warning system,” he said.
Gantz made the comments in a briefing to EU member-state Ambassadors in Israel.
The defense minister said that Jerusalem has sent a request to Kyiv to share information about the country’s needs for air defense alerts and once received, “we will be able to assist in the development of a life-saving civilian early-warning system."
But, due to what he called “limitations” and “a variety of operational considerations” he stressed that Israel will not deliver any weapon systems to Ukraine.
Gantz made the comments after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had said Tuesday that Israel was to be asked for air defense systems.
"If Israel's policy is really to consistently counter Iran's destructive actions, then it is time for Israel to openly side with Ukraine," Kuleba said.
Israel has refused to provide any military platforms to Ukraine due to concerns it might negatively affect the deconfliction mechanism that Israel and Russia have over Syria in order to avoid any unwanted conflict.
"Israel supports and stands with Ukraine, NATO and the West - this is something we have said in the past and repeat today. Israel has a policy of supporting Ukraine via humanitarian aid, and the delivery of life-saving defensive equipment,” he said. “I plan to review and approve an additional package, as we have delivered in the past.”
Speaking to Radio Kol Chai on Tuesday evening, Gantz again doubled down on Israel’s policy.
"I want to make it clear that we are not selling weapons to Ukraine," he said. "I am the defense minister, and I am responsible for the export of Israeli weapons."
Israel's view of Iran's involvement in the Russian war in Ukraine
Following the use of Iranian-made drones by Russia to target civilian infrastructure, Israel has been pressured by Ukraine to provide them with weapons systems or air defense systems.
Gantz confirmed that Jerusalem is following Iran’s involvement in the war in Ukraine, despite Tehran’s denial in providing Moscow with Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones.
“We see that Iran provides UAVs and may also provide additional advanced systems in the near future. The Iranians lie methodically about selling this equipment,” he said, adding that this same kind of involvement takes place across the Middle East,” JPOST reports.
