TEL AVIV (dpa-AFX) – In view of the tensions in the Ukraine conflict, Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has called on Israeli citizens to leave the country as soon as possible. One hopes for an end to the tensions without escalation, but does not know how the situation will develop, said Bennett on Sunday. That is why it was ensured over the weekend that the number of flights from Ukraine to Israel was increased significantly. According to the State Department, around 15,000 Israelis live in Ukraine.
“I call again to Israelis in Ukraine: Come home!” said Bennett. “Don’t take unnecessary risks. Don’t wait for a situation where you really want to come home but can’t.”
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz instructed the army to prepare for the possibility of an evacuation of Israelis from Ukraine, according to his office on Sunday.
Israel issued a travel warning for Ukraine on Friday. Diplomats’ relatives should be evacuated. However, the Israeli ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky and his diplomatic team are said to remain in the country, according to the State Department.
According to the Jewish Agency, around 43,000 Jews live in Ukraine. However, the number of those who could immigrate to Israel because of Jewish relatives is around 200,000.
Israeli diaspora minister Nachman Shai demanded on Saturday that Israel must support the community. “If the Jewish community is in dire straits as a result of a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, we must offer them the option of immediate immigration.”
The US government said on Friday that it considered a Russian invasion of Ukraine possible before the end of the Winter Olympics in China on February 20. The Russian leadership described the warnings as “hysteria”./le/DP/he