There are “at least 100” Palestinians arrested during various raids by the Israeli army in the West Bank. Al Jazeera reports this, citing the Palestinian prisoners’ office in Ramallah. In particular, the raids were carried out in Nablus – where 30 people were arrested – Hebron and Jenin. Among those arrested by the IDF are numerous former detainees released in recent weeks.
Ukrainian ambassador summoned to Tel Aviv
At the same time, the diplomatic front is also heating up. Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk has been summoned to the Foreign Ministry after criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with Ynet regarding the premier’s comments on his regular communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The diplomat was reportedly called to a “warning meeting” with Deputy Director General for Euro-Asia Yuval Fuchs after the latter disputed the ambassador’s statements. Fuchs clarified that Korniychuk’s comments were considered “completely unacceptable” and in conflict with diplomatic protocol, as well as ignoring – according to the note – the position taken by Israel since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, recalling, among other things, the visit of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Kiev and the Israeli votes at the United Nations.
Netanyahu’s words and Kiev’s response
On Monday evening, during a debate in the Knesset on Israel’s international position, Netanyahu claimed his “personal relationship” with Putin, saying he speaks with him “regularly” to protect the country’s “vital interests”, including the defense of the northern border.
In the Ynet interview, Korniychuk responded by criticizing the Israeli prime minister for appearing close to a leader who invaded Ukraine and supports Iran and its armed allies. The Ukrainian representative said he was “surprised by Netanyahu’s statements, especially considering what Israel had to endure on October 7” and reiterated the need, in his opinion, to “stay on the right and moral side of history”.