Ukraine has many friends in Israel who are trying to help during this difficult time. Among them is Zeev Elkin, who currently serves as Minister for National Project at the Ministry of Finance of Israel, responsible for the reconstruction of the north and south of the country after attacks by Palestinian terrorists and shelling from Lebanon and Iran in 2023. Elkin has long been responsible in the Israeli government for bilateral relations with Ukraine and is also a member of the military foreign-policy cabinet, which makes all military decisions and oversees Israel’s foreign policy. UA.News journalist spoke with Elkin at the Knesset about bilateral relations, assistance to Ukraine, the capabilities of the legendary Iron Dome air defense system, how Israel solved the issue of 120,000 refugees, and how the country’s security concept changed after the 2023 attacks. — Israel sought ways to help Ukraine from the very first days of the war. Ukraine is a very friendly country for us. We have very good relations. For many years, even before this, we tried to help in every way we could. This includes humanitarian aid, which has been and continues to be provided through various channels. This also concerns the air alert system. We have a highly developed alert system that allows us to detect potential strikes and provide very precise warnings to residents of specific areas at risk. Today, the system can regulate alerts at the level of city blocks, let alone entire towns. Israel has shared this system with Ukraine. It was first implemented in Kyiv. Israel provided all the technology and shared its experience. — Is Ukraine currently being considered to receive air defense systems? On the contrary, Americans have even deployed part of their air defense here, especially during the conflict with Iran, to help Israel protect our airspace. That is what can be said. — Is it true that the world-famous civilian air defense system “Iron Dome” does not protect against ballistic missiles? — What else can Ukraine expect while fighting for its survival? Later, we helped reach agreements on Mariupol — we were also among the mediators and helped achieve known agreements between the Russian and Ukrainian leadership. We exchange experience in areas that, unfortunately, have become relevant for both sides. This includes civilian and military rehabilitation, reconstruction. I recently visited Kyiv and met with my counterpart, Vice Prime Minister Kuleba, who is responsible for restoring Ukrainian territories affected by military actions. We exchange experience on how this works in Israel and Ukraine. We even agreed to try to sign a memorandum of cooperation between Israel and Ukraine in this field for knowledge exchange. In general, we are open to providing any support we can to Ukraine. — Will Israel continue to provide refuge to Ukrainian refugees? Continuation of the interview with Minister Elkin about handling 120,000 Israeli refugees and how the country’s security concept changed after the 2023 attacks will be published on UA.News in the coming days. By Iryna Kovalchuk, UA.News
— Ukraine requested Israel’s air defense system even before the war began on October 7, 2023. Unfortunately, we live on a powder keg and cannot give away part of our air defense system because we may need it at any moment. And, unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. The war began for us two years ago, and after that, the transfer of air defense was removed from the agenda. Ukrainian leadership understood this.
— That’s correct. The system can provide limited coverage. We have several layers of defense. Iron Dome is the last layer of that defense. Its effectiveness is not very high. However, if many missiles are fired at the system, it can ultimately intercept a ballistic missile. This has also been used during past attacks on Israeli cities and settlements, but it is not the main or most effective means of protection against ballistic missiles. Other systems provide that. Iron Dome is designed to intercept other types of rockets.
— Of course, we support Ukraine on the international stage, adhere to the policy of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and voted for the corresponding UN resolutions. At the beginning of the war, at the request of Ukrainian leadership and some Western leaders, we tried to act as a mediator to stop the war in the first weeks. Unfortunately, this did not produce positive results.
— Like all Western countries, Israel has accepted a large number of Ukrainian refugees. Some were entitled to Israeli citizenship, requested it, and now live with dual citizenship. Others were not eligible for citizenship but still reside in Israel with the appropriate status, allowing them to stay while the war in Ukraine continues.
Material created with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and the Embassy of Israel in Ukraine.
