Ukraine presses Israel on grain shipment as 'Twitter diplomacy' accusations fly

The Jerusalem Post reports on a diplomatic spat that has erupted between Ukraine and Israel, playing out publicly on X, formerly known as Twitter. Ukraine has accused Israel of engaging in 'Twitter diplomacy' while simultaneously making formal requests through diplomatic and legal channels to seize a vessel it claims is carrying grain stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and has docked in Haifa.

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The Ukrainian side is asking its Israeli partners to seize the vessel and its cargo, conduct a search, confiscate the vessel's and cargo documentation, take grain samples, and question the crew members.

Our Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has pointed out that Ukraine only submitted its formal request late on Tuesday, after having already taken to social media. He emphasized that the request is now being examined by the relevant authorities. This exchange underscores the complexities of international legal assistance and the sometimes-contentious nature of diplomatic communication, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict.

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This is not Twitter diplomacy; it is a specific legal and diplomatic request for international legal assistance that requires a response. We expect the Israeli side to take it seriously, rather than respond with emotional statements.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has threatened sanctions against those profiting from such shipments, and Kyiv has summoned Israel's ambassador, citing inaction. While Moscow has remained silent on the legal status of grain from occupied areas, this incident brings to the forefront Ukraine's persistent efforts to protest and prevent the export of resources from its occupied territories, a matter of significant national importance.

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One would expect the submission of a legal request before tweeting. You chose to do otherwise for your own reasons. The request is now being examined by the relevant authorities.