The European Union is considering sanctions against Israeli individuals and legal entities that help Russia bypass international sanctions imposed on it, and is demanding information from Israel regarding Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia and imported to Israel, reports Haaretz, according to UNN.
Details
The EU's condemnation follows a Sunday investigation by Haaretz newspaper, which revealed how grain stolen by Russia from its occupied territories in Ukraine is being smuggled into Israel.
EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anuar El Anouni told Haaretz that the European Union "has taken note of reports that a Russian shadow fleet vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain was allowed to unload at the port of Haifa in Israel, despite previous contacts by Ukraine with the Israeli authorities on this matter."
"We condemn all actions that help finance Russia's illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions, and we remain ready to combat such actions by listing individuals and entities in third countries if necessary," Anouni added.
The spokesperson also said that together with Ukraine, the European Union is requesting additional information from the Israeli authorities on this matter.
Following the Haaretz investigation, Israel's Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and is expected to appear on Tuesday.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that Israel would examine the allegations made in the report and is in contact with the Ukrainian authorities on the matter, emphasizing that the issue is being handled through diplomatic channels.
The Ukrainian Embassy filed an official protest with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem regarding the acceptance of a vessel currently waiting to unload grain in the Haifa Bay port, according to a Ukrainian diplomatic source who spoke with Haaretz. Two weeks ago, the Russian cargo ship Abinsk docked at the port of Haifa and unloaded a shipment of stolen Ukrainian grain. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated in an official announcement that the ship was allowed to unload its cargo despite Ukrainian officials warning the Israeli authorities in advance about its contents.
The European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom have imposed strict international sanctions against Russian vessels, individuals, and legal entities involved in the export of wheat stolen from territories seized by Russia in Ukraine.
Sunday's investigation by Haaretz showed that since 2023, about a year after the massive invasion of the Russian military into Ukraine, at least two ships with stolen grain arrived in Israel, and at least one of them unloaded in Israel, according to documents, analysis of ship tracking data, and satellite imagery obtained by Haaretz.
The behavior of seven other ships that unloaded in Israel that year raises suspicion that they also acted to conceal the source of the grain they were carrying. Furthermore, internal logs kept by Russian authorities in occupied Ukrainian ports, obtained by Haaretz, list more than 30 shipments of stolen grain with Israel as the destination.
Sources who spoke with Haaretz say this is an ongoing trend. According to information obtained by Haaretz, four shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain have already been unloaded in Israel this year.
Another suspect ship, the Panormitis, carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, reached Haifa Bay on Sunday and is waiting its turn to enter the port.
On Sunday, Haaretz asked the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs why Israel allows stolen Ukrainian grain to be smuggled from Russia, why no action was taken even when Ukraine warned in advance about the ship Abinsk, and whether Israel intends to take action regarding the suspicious ship that arrived in Haifa on Sunday morning. The MFA responded: "We have forwarded responses on this matter to our Ukrainian friends through diplomatic and professional channels."
Meanwhile, Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported that a high-ranking Ukrainian diplomatic source said that if the ship Panormitis, which allegedly carries grain stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories, enters the port of Haifa and unloads its cargo, "it will lead to a crisis in relations between Ukraine and Israel."
"We are tracking this new vessel and will not leave this unaddressed. If it is allowed to dock and unload, it will have consequences, including for our bilateral ties," the Ukrainian diplomatic source said.
The Ukrainian diplomatic source added: "If this vessel and its cargo are not rejected, we reserve the right to apply the full range of diplomatic and international legal measures."
The Ukrainian diplomatic source stated that Israel "essentially rejected" our demands regarding the previous vessel that unloaded stolen grain in the port of Haifa.
"To be honest, it feels like a slap in the face, given the strategic goodwill Ukraine has expressed – from designating the IRGC as terrorists to criminalizing antisemitism," the Ukrainian diplomatic source said.
"Profiting from stolen cargo should be beneath Israel's dignity," the Ukrainian diplomatic source said.
Israel responds to Ukraine's warning regarding grain ship in Haifa port27.04.26, 23:34