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Jerusalem – Israel is facing sharp criticism after voting against a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, aligning itself with the United States in a move that has sparked both domestic and international backlash.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar defended the decision, stating that the vote was intended to support the efforts of Israel’s closest ally, the United States, in pursuing an end to the three-year war.
Saar emphasized that Israel still considers Russia the “aggressor” but sought to back Washington’s broader diplomatic strategy on the conflict.
The controversial vote has drawn swift condemnation. Bret Stephens, a columnist for The New York Times, described the decision as “vomitous” in an op-ed titled “America’s Most Shameful Vote Ever at the UN.”
U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, likened the group of countries that voted “no” — which included North Korea, Belarus, and Hungary — to an “Axis of Evil.”
In Israel, the vote has received limited public attention due to ongoing national mourning for Israeli hostages killed in Gaza, including the funeral of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas.
However, some liberal activists have openly criticized the government’s position. Former lawmaker Ksenia Svetlova, who was born in Russia, accused Israel of losing its “moral compass” in a statement posted on social media.
Shifting Israeli Policy at the UN
Israel has historically supported Ukraine in UN resolutions while also maintaining diplomatic ties with Moscow, partly due to Russian military influence near Israel’s northern borders. However, this latest vote signals a shift in its approach.
Speaking to Politico, Saar clarified that Israel’s stance on Russia’s actions remains unchanged but that the government chose to back the U.S. strategy aimed at achieving a negotiated settlement to the war.
“We voted with the Americans, and I do believe that Russia is the aggressor,” Saar said. “We haven’t changed our mind, but we thought it is right to give a chance to the initiative of America to try to end this war and solve it by peaceful means.”
Saar’s remarks also come as Israel and the U.S. collaborate on another high-stakes diplomatic effort—the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Talks are underway regarding a potential extension of the ceasefire, which was initially brokered to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Ukraine-Israel Relations at a Crossroads
The shift in Israel’s UN voting pattern could have diplomatic ramifications for its relationship with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought closer ties with Israel, including military and intelligence cooperation.
While Israel has provided humanitarian aid and defensive equipment, it has refrained from supplying lethal weaponry to Kyiv, mindful of its complex ties with Moscow.
As Israel navigates these competing geopolitical pressures, the fallout from its UN vote highlights the broader challenge of balancing alliances with Washington and Moscow while maintaining its strategic interests.