"Ukrainian-Israeli lobby (coalition) of friendship" in the Knesset - the first meeting took place on July 25, 2025 - what is this?


On Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Israeli Knesset hosted the first meeting of the "Israel–Ukraine Friendship Lobby" (שדולת הידידות ישראל – אוקראינה). According to the media, this parliamentary lobby was created with the goal of "strengthening ties between the countries in politics, security, and Jewish communities, especially during these challenging times for both nations."


The lobby meeting was chaired by Knesset member Zvi Sukkot ("Religious Zionism") and Boaz Bismuth ("Likud"), the new chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.


Establishment of the "Israel–Ukraine" Lobby


The initiative to form the group emerged in response to "growing regional threats and the need for direct parliamentary dialogue." The lobby unites representatives from both the ruling coalition and Haredi parties, demonstrating a "shared interest in protecting democratic values and Jewish heritage."


Key Participants

The meeting was attended by Minister Zeev Elkin ("Likud"); Rabbi Levi Edrei from the Jewish Federation of Ukraine; Nahman Shtaynberg from the Zionist Organization; Nahman Ben Shaya from Breslov Hasidism; community leaders Levi Yitzhak Gvirtz and Eliyahu Revivo; representatives from the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel (including First Secretary Zoryan Kis); representative of the World Zionist Movement "Avoda" in Ukraine, Vladimir Sverdlov; business representatives from both countries; as well as Knesset Member Meir Porush ("United Torah Judaism") and others.


According to media reports, the lobby "discussed Israel–Ukraine relations," with everyone "unanimously welcoming the strengthening of Israeli–Ukrainian relations," and emphasizing the "main thesis: the Iranian threat requires a united front."


Media representatives and Israeli bloggers were also invited to the meeting.


Exclusively via video link, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko, who recently spoke in support of Israel at the European Parliament, joined the Knesset. Similarly, Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the President of Ukraine, participated via video link from the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.



"Ukrainian–Israeli (Coalition) Friendship Lobby" in the Knesset – the first meeting held on July 25, 2025 – what is it?


Media Coverage of the Event

It is interesting how this meeting was covered by Israeli media. Here is information about each website that published an article on this topic (quotes in the article and from speakers are specifically from these sources):


israelhayom.co.il — ישראל היום
- Publisher: Adelson family media holding, published by Miriam Adelson, widow of Sheldon Adelson.
- Audience: Broad Israeli–Jewish public, primarily Hebrew-speaking.
- Political Orientation: Conservative center-right; actively supports Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party.
emess.co.il — אמס (MS)
- Publisher: Kol Chai media group, one of the largest Hasidic–Haredi media holdings in Israel.
- Audience: Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) seeking news and theological content.
- Political Orientation: Oriented toward Hasidic and Lithuanian Haredi blocs; frequently reflects positions of Shas and United Torah Judaism (אגודת ישראל/דגל התורה).
jdn.co.il — JDN
- Publisher: independent Jewish Daily News Group positioning itself as a leading news portal for the Haredim.
- Audience: religious Jews and the Haredim, including residents of Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Modi'in Illit, etc.
- Political orientation: supports the interests of the Haredi political bloc, reflecting the positions of the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties (אגודת ישראל/דגל התורה).
kikar.co.il — כיכר השבת
- Publisher: Kikar HaShabbat Ltd., founded by Mordechai Levy in 2009 as a digital edition for the Haredim.
- Audience: the broad Haredi public across the Israeli periphery (Bnei Brak, Elad, Beit Shemesh, etc.).
- Political orientation: reflects the interests of the religious bloc, with content often showing sympathy for the efforts of Shas and United Torah Judaism in protecting the interests of yeshiva students and religious laws.
Who saw other reports?
Course of the meeting and key speeches
It is unusual that the Ukrainian MP Aleksei Goncharenko also took part in the conference, having recently delivered a fiery speech in support of Israel from the stage of the European Union summit. Goncharenko “confirmed his support for the State of Israel and called for closer cooperation in the face of common threats, primarily Iran.”
Goncharenko himself shared his impressions of this meeting on his social networks:
I became the first People’s Deputy of Ukraine to speak before members of the Knesset.
We talked about the development of Ukrainian‑Israeli relations. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and we must develop our cooperation both in humanitarian and in military directions.
Thanks for the invitation to the Israeli colleagues from the Committee on International Cooperation and Security.
By the way, unlike all other official participants, Goncharenko “participated in the meeting” wearing a frivolous checkered shirt, which looked somewhat dissonant against the backdrop of suits and Haredi clothing worn by the other participants.
Mykhailo Podolyak “emphasized the importance of partnership between the countries, highly appreciated Israel’s resilience in the face of security threats and pointed to Iran as a common enemy threatening the free world.”
“We are learning from Netanyahu how to fight Iran and its proxies,” he said.
Another variant: “He also noted that they are learning from Netanyahu how to fight evil — Iran and its proxies.” (עוד ציין כי הם לומדים מנתניהו איך להילחם ברוע – באיראן והפרוקסי).
Podolyak also “expressed gratitude for the creation of the lobby and interest in promoting bilateral agreements with Israel in the political, economic and cultural spheres.” At the end of his speech he “expressed hope for a prompt visit to Israel” and specified that his statement “was made on behalf of the President (Zelenskyy – ed.).”
Nachman Steinberg from the Zionist Organization also took part in the conference, “which was broadcast live from the Administration of the President of Ukraine,” and noted:
“We have a long history of relations between our peoples, not just ordinary ties but a deep Jewish heritage with the people of Israel. The rockets that hit us and you are manufactured in the same factories.”
“Therefore, we urge decision-makers to significantly expand assistance and cooperation between the countries. Mutual support between countries is not just a political interest, it is an expression of deep values of justice, freedom and faith.”
Knesset member Tzvi Sukkot concluded the discussion, stating:
“When enemies like Iran threaten both Israel and Ukraine, it is time to join efforts. This lobby is a bridge of values and partnership in the field of security. It is through these challenges that we can build a safer future for both peoples and ensure that Jewish communities in Ukraine will not be left behind (ולבטיח שגם הקהילות היהודיות באוקראינה לא תישארנה מאחור) (meaning – will not be left without support and will not be ignored).”
Probably someone else said something, but no information was found in the public domain.
How one participant wrote, "The deputies promise to be active and efficient. Let’s see… 🇮🇱🇺🇦"
As the media write,
"The conference concluded with a call to continue parliamentary and civic efforts to foster cooperation between Israel and Ukraine, as well as to strengthen support for Jewish communities in Ukraine during this challenging period."
"Glory to Ukraine!" – "Glory to the heroes!"
The fact that, more than three years after the start of Putin’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the ruling coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu finally remembered this (not to mention remembering the suffering of Ukraine’s Jewish community), already speaks volumes.
About what?
The lobby meeting was slightly lightened by an incident reported by several attendees, notably Aleksei S. Zheleznov and Vladimir Sverdlov:
"A religious participant just spoke and ended his speech with the words: 'Am Yisrael Chai, Glory to Ukraine!'.
And in chorus, the gentlemen in lapserdakhs, hats, and payot answered 'Glory to the heroes!' (none of them speaks Russian or Ukrainian). 😊 …
And let the ‘vatniks’ burn with envy"

Who didn’t know:
A week ago, the ruling coalition in the Knesset included six parties. The leading role was played by Likud under Benjamin Netanyahu (center‑right conservative), alongside the influential Religious Zionism led by Bezalel Smotrich (national‑religious, right‑wing nationalism), and the centrist‑liberal platform of New Hope under Gideon Saar. The far‑right national‑religious Otzma Yehudit led by Itamar Ben‑Gvir completed the bloc, while the ultra‑Orthodox factions United Torah Judaism under Moshe Gafni and Yaakov Litzman (Ashkenazi Haredim) and Shas under Aryeh Deri (Sephardi Haredim) provided support from the religious communities.
After unsuccessful negotiations on a bill to postpone service for "yeshiva students," on July 15 the United Torah Judaism parliamentarians left the coalition, and the next day Shas also withdrew, leaving four parties in today’s government majority: Likud (right‑wing conservatism, Netanyahu), Religious Zionism (right‑wing nationalism, Smotrich), New Hope (center‑right liberalism, Saar), and Otzma Yehudit (far‑right national‑religious, Ben‑Gvir).
The ruling coalition was formed after the November 1, 2022 elections and took office on December 29, 2022 (led by Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud). In October 2023, after the start of hostilities in Gaza, New Hope under Gideon Saar joined to form an emergency war cabinet. Saar left the coalition on March 25, 2024, but returned on November 5, 2024 as Foreign Minister after a new agreement with Likud.
Putin’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022
https://nikk.agency/en/ukrainian-israeli/

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