How to overcome the divergences between Israel and Ukraine: A discussion with young people in Tel Aviv

The dramatic changes in US–Ukraine international policy from February to March 2025 have caused great concern among Ukraine's friends in Israel. Thus, the pro-Ukrainian Israeli group Prostir's initiative to hold a discussion was timely and relevant.

It was an honor to be the main speaker at a lecture on the problems of modern relations between Israel and Ukraine, which was recently held at the Night Shift pub in Tel Aviv. The lecture included a period of questions, answers, and discussion.

Twenty-five young individuals living in Israel and originating from various Ukrainian cities — from Vynohradiv in Transcarpathia to Donetsk — attended the event. All of them hold degrees in higher education, participate in pro-Ukrainian activities, and are concerned about recent developments in the relationship between Israel and Ukraine.

It was especially gratifying that this group's lecture and discussion took place in the Ukrainian language beneath the Tel Aviv sky.

I spoke for almost an hour and then answered questions, after which there was an open discussion.

During the talk, I noted with trepidation that a new geopolitical trend has emerged since the inauguration of Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States.

Politically, there appears to be a new shift — the divergence of Israel and Ukraine's "continental plates." Israel is seemingly moving in the direction of the US under the leadership of Trump's Republican administration, while Ukraine is seemingly moving in the other direction along with European countries and the UK.

Why is Israel following the US? Because pro-Israeli Trump, acting as a "good father" in the White House, supports the "hawkish" approach of the current government. Why is Ukraine following the EU? Because Western Europe and Britain are now the primary forces interested in assisting Ukraine if US support ceases.

But in the future, this may lead to Israel supporting President Trump's foreign policy initiatives regarding Ukraine — despite their problematic nature and even danger for Ukraine.

In turn, Ukraine will increasingly synchronize its foreign policy with the EU countries, including a narrative of supposed European anti-Israelism and "condemnation of Israeli aggression."

This divergence between Israel's and Ukraine's policies may grow. And it will be felt very painfully by Ukraine's friends in Israel and Israel's friends in Ukraine.

Given these circumstances, I reached an unsettling conclusion: as of now, there are no apparent reasons or chances for Israel, at the state level, to change its stance on Ukraine and offer greater assistance. Officially, Israel will not harm Ukraine, but it also won't provide substantial help.

Ukraine, however, is finding support in Israeli civil society, where there are incomparably more friends of Ukraine than in the offices of any government.

The latest data from the National Bank of Ukraine demonstrates the financial contribution of Israeli civil society in supporting Ukraine. In 2024, one out of every six dollars sent to Ukraine from abroad through various payment systems originated from Israel.

The citizens of the Jewish state represented 16.8% of all remittances to Ukraine, making it the largest contributor in the world after the United States. Nearly $420 million was sent to Ukraine from Israel, which has a population of 10 million.

One of the questions related to which sectors of the economy can become points of cooperation and growth between Ukraine and Israel.

My response was: "This primarily concerns the agricultural industry. Even during the war, Israel remains an active market for products from Ukraine's agricultural sector — grains, corn, eggs, honey, butter, various oils, and livestock feed. After the war, trade in this sector may increase significantly. There is also hope that post-war, cooperation in high-tech will strengthen. By 2022, nearly 40% of all foreign programmers for Israeli companies were subcontractors based in Ukraine."

According to Olga Brodska, the event organizer and Prostir project leader, the lecture and discussion were successful.

In their feedback, participants mentioned that they appreciated this new open dialogue format. The informal atmosphere on a pedestrian street in the "trendy" district of Tel Aviv draws a young audience, which is often challenging to "attract" to serious academic events.

For example, Lev Sher, formerly an active member of the Jewish community in Kharkiv, shared his thoughts: "Meeting in an informal pub setting is a fresh and original idea that intrigued me. The topic of conversation was relevant because, as a Ukrainian in Israel, I think about the relations between our countries almost daily. Shimon shared his perspective and readily answered questions, engaging in discussions without limitations and encouraging dialogue. I am pleased to witness the progress of the Ukrainian-Jewish community in Israel through events like this."

Another participant in the discussion noted: "I especially enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the Israeli street and the fact that Prostir events have a Zionist perspective within the Ukrainian-speaking community."

Text: Shimon Briman (Israel)
Photo: Olga Brodska and the Prostir initiative.