The United States has asked Israel to support a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a report on Army Radio.
The UNSC is scheduled to debate such a condemnation in New York on Friday. It's expected that Russia, one of five countries with UNSC veto power, would use that power to prevent such a vote.
The 15-member body, however, is expected to debate such a condemnation. The United States often uses its veto power to protect Israel from Security Council condemnations.
Israel is not a UNSC member, but as a UN member, it has the right to sign its name to Security Council statements or resolutions.
Read more on the Ukraine-Russia War:
- Day 2 of the Ukraine-Russia War
- Ukraine crisis: Russia wants to take Kyiv: Here's how they might do it
- Ukraine's President Zelensky: I'm Russia's number one target
- US asked Israel to support UNSC condemnation of Russia
- Israel Ambassador to Ukraine: The moment to evacuate is drawing near
Israel has attempted to walk a very careful line in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis between showing support for the Ukrainian people without upsetting its ties with Moscow.
Both Kyiv and Moscow have been strong allies of Jerusalem. Ukraine, however, has taken a much stronger stand in support of Israel at the UN.
The Russian military is active in Syria, on Israel's northern border. Maintaining ties with Russia, among other things, is important for Israel's continued military action against the entrenchment of Iran and its proxies in Syria.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, on Thursday, condemned Russia's military action in Ukraine, while Prime Minister Naftali Bennett struck a more moderate tone when speaking of his support for the Ukrainian people without mentioning Moscow.
Israel had intended to issue a statement on Wednesday at the UN General Assembly debate on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis in New York, but the meeting was adjourned before they could take the floor.
Russia appears to be accepting Israel's carefully scripted moderation.
The issue of Israeli support for the UNSC resolution was raised during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's phone call Thursday night with Lapid.
"I spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister @yairlapid today about Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack against Ukraine," Blinkin tweeted after the call.
"I reaffirmed the importance of the US-Israel bilateral relationship in the face of global challenges, including Russia's aggression."
"We discussed the situation in Ukraine and the resulting global consequences," Lapid tweeted.
"I expressed concern for the safety of Israelis trying to leave Ukraine and updated the secretary about Israel's offer of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine," he wrote.
"The secretary updated me on the steps the US is taking at this stage & we agreed to continue speaking in the coming days."