Occupied Palestine (QNN)- A diplomatic crisis is unfolding between Ukraine and the occupation state of Israel after new findings revealed that Israel received grain stolen from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
A Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters on Monday that Israel risks facing legal and diplomatic consequences if it allows a ship carrying such grain to dock at Haifa Port. Kyiv has been tracking the vessel and warned that any approval would harm bilateral relations.
The source described the situation as "laundering stolen goods,” calling it unacceptable. He added that Israel had already ignored previous Ukrainian requests regarding a similar ship.
“If this vessel and its cargo are not rejected, we reserve the right to take the full range of diplomatic and international legal measures,” the source said.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that a vessel named “Panormitis” is currently waiting for permission to dock in occupied Haifa. Ukrainian officials say the ship carries grain taken from occupied Ukrainian land.
The report also revealed that at least four similar shipments have already been unloaded in the occupation state this year, raising concerns in Kyiv about a repeated pattern.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned that friendly relations between the two countries could suffer. He stressed that Russia’s illegal grain trade should not undermine ties.
Sybiha said it was difficult to understand Israel’s lack of response to earlier Ukrainian requests. He confirmed that Ukraine has summoned the Israeli ambassador to present a formal protest and demand action.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar pushed back against the reports. He said diplomatic relations should not be handled through media statements or social platforms.
“Allegations are not evidence,” Sa’ar claimed. He added that Ukraine had not submitted formal legal requests before going public.
Sa’ar claimed that Israeli authorities will examine the issue and act according to the law. He emphasized that Israel operates under the rule of law with independent enforcement bodies.
A detailed investigation by Haaretz uncovered a complex Russian operation to smuggle Ukrainian grain into international markets, including Israel.
The report said Russia uses indirect maritime routes to hide the origin of the grain. Ships transfer cargo at sea, often in the Black Sea, to avoid detection. Crews switch off tracking systems during loading, which violates international maritime safety rules.
Satellite images, shipping data, and port records show that at least two ships delivered stolen grain to Israel in 2023. The investigation also flagged seven other vessels suspected of hiding cargo origins.
According to the findings, more than 30 shipments of grain taken from occupied Ukrainian territories were directed toward Israel. Russian documents cited in the report indicate that at least 120 shipments moved through Crimean ports between late 2022 and mid-2023, including 31 shipments bound for Israel.
One case involved a Russian ship that docked in occupied Haifa two weeks ago carrying grain worth millions of dollars. Ukraine said the cargo came from occupied land and issued a formal protest.
The investigation traced another shipment route involving multiple vessels. Grain loaded in Crimea was transferred between ships at sea before reaching Israel. In one case, a vessel carried around 27,000 tons of wheat valued at nearly $9 million to Ashdod Port.
Analysts say turning off tracking systems during transfers signals an attempt to conceal the origin of goods. Some Israeli buyers reportedly received documents claiming the grain came from Russia, with no clear way to verify the source.
Ukraine has called on Israel to prevent the import of what it considers stolen goods. Officials warned that continued acceptance of such shipments could damage relations and violate international law.
Ukraine and Israel have generally maintained close ties. Kyiv has often expressed diplomatic support for Israel in international forums even as Israel was carrying out a genocide in Gaza and occupying more Palestinian land. Israel, in turn, has provided limited humanitarian assistance to Ukraine but has avoided supplying large-scale military aid, citing its security concerns and regional constraints.
