Defense Minister Says Israel Supports Ukraine, But Won't Give Arms Aid: Choose To Give This

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer)

JAKARTA - Senior Israeli officials ensured that the country supports Ukraine in the face of Russian invasion, is willing to provide additional aid and equipment for Ukraine's needs, but does not supply weapons.

During a meeting of EU envoys, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said his country along with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) supported Ukraine, but had no intention of providing air defense weapons as Kyiv wanted.

"Israel supports Ukraine, NATO, and the West and stands with them, this is something we have stated in the past and repeat today. Israel continues to support Ukraine through the delivery of humanitarian aid and supplies of life-saving defense equipment. I plan to agree to a package ( additional assistance, as we have done before," said Minister Gantz according to the ministry's press service, launching TASS 20 October.

At the same time, Minister Gantz pointed out that Israel still intends to limit itself to providing non-military assistance to Kyiv.

"At that time, I would like to emphasize that Israel will not supply weapons systems to Ukraine for a number of operational reasons. We will continue to support Ukraine within our limits, as we have done in the past."

Israel has asked Ukraine "to share information about their need for air defense warnings," Minister Gantz told the EU Ambassador, citing Reuters.

Then Israel will be able to "assist in the development of a life-saving civilian early warning system".

Gantz's office said he would speak with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov on Thursday.

To ward off attacks by Iran or its regional allies, Israel has a network of radars that trigger sirens or cell phone alerts to warn citizens to take cover when missiles are launched.

Similar early warning technology could be offered to Ukraine, a spokesman for the Israeli Defense Ministry said.

"Israel has a policy of supporting Ukraine through humanitarian aid and delivery of life-saving defense equipment," but will not deliver weapons systems, "due to various operational considerations," Gantz told the EU ambassador.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday his country would send an official message to the Israeli government regarding an application for air defense system assistance for Ukraine.