Amid criticism by Ukrainian officials of Israel and what they perceive as limited assistance by Jerusalem at a time of war, the mayor of the northeastern city of Kharkiv, which has been heavily hit by the Russian military, sent a letter to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, in which he described how vital humanitarian aid from Israel has been for his city.
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"On behalf of all Kharkiv residents and myself, I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine and you personally for the humanitarian assistance you have provided for Kharkiv," Ihor Terekhov wrote in a letter addressed to the Israeli Ambassador in Ukraine Michael Brodsky.
Israel has provided the residents of the city with hundreds of food parcels and medicine, among other things.
"I believe that through a united effort we will be able to overcome the challenge, and establish cooperation in the rehabilitation of Kharkiv after our victory as well," Terekhov wrote.
Israel has been harshly criticized by Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for reluctance to send military aid for the war-torn country – the Iron Dome rocket-interception system in particular – for fear of Russia limiting its freedom of action in Syria.
Israel has, however, provided Ukraine with humanitarian aid, welcomed over 10,000 refugees, was the first country to launch a field hospital on Ukrainian territory, and was was undertaking many efforts to arrange peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Most recently, following the criticism, it shipped defensive gear to Ukrainian rescue forces and civilian organizations, marking a shift in its policy on the war.
Foreign Ministry official Einat Shlain said the Foreign Ministry has been working to provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid since the beginning of March.
We did so "creatively, based on the needs on the ground: from shipping coats and blankets, medicine, [electric] generators, and water purification systems to setting up a field hospital in partnership with the Health Ministry, delivering food to citizens in the besieged cities and conducting workshops on how to cope with trauma and sexual violence to thousands of Ukrainians," she said.
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