Israel buys stolen wheat from Ukraine, fueling Putin's war fund

A disturbing investigation by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reveals a deeply concerning trade route: stolen Ukrainian wheat, plundered from occupied territories by Russia, is finding its way to Israel. This illicit commerce, involving at least 90,000 tons of grain between November 2022 and June 2023, has the grave consequence of indirectly bolstering Russia's war chest.

The findings indicate a well-orchestrated operation where profits from the confiscated grain flow directly into the Russian war economy. Alarmingly, the Israeli Foreign Ministry is aware of these activities, yet no substantive actions have been implemented to cease this trade. This passive stance, while Russia systematically loots Ukraine's agricultural resources, is deeply problematic.

Ukraine estimates that Russia has stolen at least 15 million tons of wheat from its occupied regions since 2022. Haaretz's meticulous tracking, utilizing satellite imagery and vessel tracking data, identified several bulk carriers involved. These ships often operate with their tracking equipment turned off during loading in Ukrainian ports, transferring the grain to "floating storage" vessels in the Black Sea before being reloaded onto other untraceable ships destined for Israel.

This sophisticated process includes the falsification of documents, with Russia often claiming the grain originates from Siberia. The implications of this trade are significant, not only in terms of the economic support it provides to Russia but also the diplomatic risks it poses to Israel. As a nation that understands the devastating impact of conflict and the importance of international law, Israel's continued engagement in this trade is a serious ethical and political concern.