Israel's Ukraine envoy: October 7 transformed Jerusalem-Kyiv ties after years of tension -interview

Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky is preparing to conclude his five-year tenure in Kyiv, a period marked by the constant threat of Russian attacks and the struggle for normalcy in a nation at war. "There are attacks almost every night," Brodsky told The Jerusalem Post, observing that while Kyiv attempts to maintain daily routines, the war remains a stark reality for its residents and diplomats.

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There are attacks almost every night. But we also know this from our experience back home; people eventually get used to everything, and Kyiv tries to live a normal life.

Brodsky recalled the morning of February 24, 2022, when the "special military operation" announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin began with explosions. He and his team, initially relocated to Lviv, faced the immediate challenge of evacuating the embassy while simultaneously providing aid to Israelis and Jews across Ukraine. "It is a very dramatic process because it also has political implications," Brodsky stated, noting the lack of precedent for such an operation within the Israeli Foreign Service.

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We woke up to the siren and immediately after heard booms. Of course, we didn’t know what to do; no one was used to the new situation. So, we went down to the hotel parking lot, the whole team, those who were with us.

Despite the security complexities, Israel mounted a substantial humanitarian effort. "In record time, we organized and established a field hospital in the Lviv area of western Ukraine," Brodsky said. This facility treated 100-150 people daily, staffed by an "amazing Israeli team" that provided high-level aid. Furthermore, Ukraine sought to leverage Israel's expertise in managing airport operations during wartime, given the closure of Ukrainian airports due to Russian threats.

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There is a very clear protocol for evacuating an embassy. First, we evacuate all secret documents and clear out the classified systems. We evacuated the families first, and then the staff.

Brodsky noted that while many Ukrainians have adapted to nightly air raids, seeking shelter in subway stations or simply continuing their routines, the war has never become routine for embassy staff. The experience of evacuating the embassy during active conflict was a unique and challenging diplomatic undertaking, underscoring the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on international relations and humanitarian efforts.

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I don’t think there’s a precedent for this, certainly not in the Israeli Foreign Service.