Strengthening cooperation in civil defense and medicine — results of the visit to Israel of the interparliamentary friendship group "Ukraine-Israel"

Ukrainian lawmakers reached agreements with Israel on joint projects in civil defense and advanced medicine, including training for Ukrainian rescuers and rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. Details of the negotiations and assistance figures are available in the NAnews report. Why this visit matters now On June 19, 2025, the Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Health, Medical Aid, and Health Insurance Mykhailo Radutskyi summed up the first official visit of the interparliamentary friendship group “Ukraine–Israel” of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to Israel since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "The visit was a logical continuation of the dialogue that began in 2023, when the co-chairs of the Israeli friendship group Yuli Edelstein and Zeev Elkin visited Kyiv. In addition to me, the delegation included MPs Olga Vasylevska-Smahliuk, Oleh Voronko, Oles Dovhyi, Olena Kopanchuk, Serhii Mandziy, and Yurii Mysiagin." The delegation of seven Ukrainian MPs held meetings with the leadership of the Knesset, the Ministries of Defense and Health, and representatives of leading Israeli hospitals, including Sheba Medical Center and Herzliya Medical Center. "Ukraine and Israel live under constant threat — military and terrorist. Our experiences complement each other, and therefore our alliance must reach a new level," emphasized Mykhailo Radutskyi. Meetings in the Knesset and ministries - Meeting with Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana - Negotiations with Chair of the Health Committee Yonatan Mashriki - Talks with leadership of the Israeli MFA and Ministry of Health Main topics of the discussions: - Counteracting money laundering - Protecting the rights of Ukrainian refugees - Deepening economic and defense cooperation - Calling on Israel to join the G7 sanctions policy against russia, especially concerning dual-use goods Civil defense and knowledge exchange Civil defense was one of the key topics of the visit. The delegation visited: - Home Front Command - National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) - Israel Fire and Rescue Authority Israel has already transferred its own early warning system technology to Ukraine, which is currently being tested. Educational programs for Ukrainian rescuers, medics, and crisis psychologists were also discussed. Medical cooperation Israel has one of the most efficient healthcare systems in the world. The Ukrainian delegation visited top medical institutions: - Sheba Medical Center - Herzliya Medical Center At Sheba Medical Center, discussions covered: - Treatment of combat injuries - Skin grafting - Rehabilitation - Mental health support - Internship programs for Ukrainian doctors At Herzliya Medical Center, discussions focused on the treatment of wounded Ukrainian soldiers currently in Israel. The possibility of signing a memorandum of cooperation with the National Cancer Institute of Ukraine was also raised. International medical partnership program Mykhailo Radutskyi presented the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska — an international medical partnership program. Dozens of joint projects with Israeli medical institutions are already being implemented within this framework. Israel as a strategic partner of Ukraine Radutskyi highlighted Israel’s important role in supporting Ukraine during wartime. Specifically: - Israel provides military and humanitarian aid - Hosts thousands of Ukrainian refugees - Supports Ukraine at the UN This visit continued the dialogue that began in 2023 when the Israeli friendship group co-chairs Yuli Edelstein and Zeev Elkin visited Kyiv. Summary cooperation table Area Content Civil Defense Early warning system technology, training of Ukrainian specialists Healthcare Wound treatment, rehabilitation, doctor exchange, clinical cooperation Humanitarian & Political Support Support for refugees, diplomatic backing at the UN NAnews – Israel News emphasizes: the visit of the “Ukraine–Israel” friendship group was a significant step toward strengthening strategic partnership. It focused not only on knowledge sharing but also on tangible joint projects already underway in civil defense and medicine. In the face of shared terrorist threats experienced by both countries, such visits provide real help to people, save lives, and strengthen the friendship between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples. https://nikk.agency/en/strengthening/