Ukrainian MP calls for moving embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

Jewish Ukrainian MP Alexander Feldman called for moving his country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, expressing anger with his country’s decision to vote in favour of a UN resolution which condemned illegal Israeli settlements, Israeli media reported yesterday.

Writing on Facebook, Feldman said he was upset that his country voted against Israeli settlements and he became more upset when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a planned visit by his Ukrainian counterpart to Israel.

“For many years my colleagues and I have been working on the development of relations between our countries and we have achieved a lot,” he said, mentioning visa-free entry between the two countries as well as lower airfares, the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post reported.

“Of course, the consequence of our vote has disappointed Israelis and seriously undermines what we have achieved.”

To improve the situation, Feldman suggested moving the Ukrainian Embassy to Jerusalem, noting he had a plan to propose a bill regarding this to the parliament.

If the move comes to fruition, Jerusalem Post reported him saying, it would bring Israel-Ukraine relations to a “whole new, unprecedented level”.

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Last Friday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding Israel to halt settlement building and expansion in the Palestinian territories. The resolution, which was co-sponsored by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela, was passed by a 14-0 vote after the United States abstained.

As a response to the resolution, Israel and it’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to conduct ‘revenge demolitions‘ of Palestinian homes; approved building some 5,600 housing units in East Jerusalem for illegal settlements;  cut funding to five UN institutions worth $7.8 million; threatened to directly target UNRWA with Trump’s help; and recalled it’s ambassadors from Senegal and New Zealand.