There not too many details available at this time, but the IDF has announced several times that it has captured massive amounts of military equipment, weapons, armaments, from Hezbollah in Lebanon. Much of the weaponry captured was supplied originally by Russia. 

The question is what to do with all that [possibly] valuable stuff.

From what I understand, Israel won't use at least much of it due to Israel's policy of only using NATO-approved weapons. Destroying it seems to be wasteful, though if there is no other use for it that is what the IDF will continue to do.

MK Dan Ilouz (Likud) has proposed a law by which any of these captured Russian-supplied weapons and equipment that the IDF will not use should be transferred to Ukraine to use in its battle against Russia.

So, the IDF gets first dibs to put whatever it feels it can use into use in its own military efforts.

After the IDF decides it has taken what it will and has no use for the rest, the Defense Ministry should find a way to securely send the rest to Ukraine to use in its war against Russia.

Interestingly, Ilouz writes in the text of the proposal a couple of interesting points.

First, Ilouz explains that this is in order to maintain security stability in the region and internationally and "to assist countries fighting for their sovereignty", Israel should transfer these weapons to Ukraine, etc...

I hope this text won't come back to be used against Israel, as other countries will defend their support for the Palestinians as a country fighting for its sovereignty which the Israeli Right supports while pointing to this law.

Second, Ilouz calls this poetic justice - supporting allies internationally against those who supply our terrorist enemies with weapons with those very weapons. And this would be a poetic justice.

This will probably upset Russia

While often they use their political dogheadedness for good, or at least for advancing their agendas, sometimes it can be upsetting and frustrating.

Like how Minister Meir Porush has in recent years taken it upon himself to help Eliezer Berland, the rapist, thug, criminal from Breslav in various ways. He ensured that berland would get to light and lead a bonfire for his followers in Meron on Lag B'Omer when in general the lighting were being limited. In recent years Porush has helped Berland get permission to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashana, despite having travel restrictions on his passport due to being convicted for violent crimes. And now once again Meir Porush is stepping up to the plate for Berland. 

It turns out Berland is on a no fly list in Ukraine, due to his crimes and convictions. He was given a black passport. Ukraine does not want him there. Porush is stepping up and trying to use his influence to get Berland special permission from Ukraine to travel for Rosh Hashana to Uman. He has so far spoke to the Ukranian Ambassador, but supposedly the Ambassaor said that to make such an exception the Israeli government would have send an official request which it did not do. And I guess it won't because Porush is looking for other ways instead of getting the government to issue a letter. At least some of the other ministers are not willing to help Berland.

So now that the Ambassador protexia route did not pan out, Porush is petitioning the Ukranian courts to get permission for Berland. We'll see how that pans out.

If anything Porush should at least get him permission to go but then not let him return. Leave him stranded outside of Israel. But we know that won't happen.

This is the bad and frustrating side of the Porushes. they dont care what anyone else has to say, so they are willing to even help an evil person like Berland if it behooves them. 

When Litmzan helped Malka Leifer evade trial for a long time, eventually he was indicted for it (among other things) and then resigned for politics. I don't know if he is getting something in return for helping Berland or if he is just playing to his constituents but I hope one day he is made to pay for helping such a criminal.

It looks like a new issue just came up that might run all the work he put in...

According to Hamechadesh, based on the Kiev Post, President Zelenskiyy is considering canceling the visa arangement with Israel that allows Israeli travelers (and Ukranian in the other direction) to travel to Ukraine without first applying for a visa. According to Zelenskiyy, Israel has not helped Ukraine at all in this war with Russia and has, additionally, been too pro-Russia.

Additionally, according to the report, Ukraine suspects Israel of leaking information to Russia from their RAMSTEN meetings, which is an alliance of 54 countries that meet monthly to discuss and coordinate aid to Ukraine. Israel might already have leaked information or they might leak information in the future. Whatever it is, Ukraine seems to be a bit upset at Israel and might take it out by canceling the visa travel arrangement.

It is hard to believe they will cancel it so quickly, quick enough to make trouble for the Breslovers about to embark on their holiday trip in just about a month from now, but with Zelenskiyy one never knows. He can turn on a dime if he thinks it might get Ukraine more military aid. This situation could get interesting very quickly

Ukranian President Voldymyr Zelensky just issued a statement congratulating Benjamin Netanyahu on his electoral success, saying "we hope that now we will turn a new page in the relations between Israel and Ukraine.

While Zelensky might have been trolling Lapid for not giving Ukraine weapons and other assistance or whatever he wanted from us, I think he is actually trolling himself. Netanyahu spoke out very strongly against Bennett and Lapid providing any assistance telling them to just keep quiet and stay out of it so as not to upset the Russians (because of their influence over Syria)

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According to reports, 20-25 thousand pilgrims were not deterred by all that and went anyway.

And dont forget, the way out is basically the same story but in reverse. And actually a bit worse - while coming in everyone went on staggered schedules, each traveling on his own timeline, leaving Uman happened for almost all 25 thousand people at once.

While I am not 100% clear on why, there is a major gridlock for the pilgrims leaving, and many have been sitting on the road for hours and by now even days, trying to get out of Ukraine. It is a massive traffic jam leading to the borders and probably some bureaucracy as well.

The news today reported that MK Meir Porush (UTJ) has gotten involved and has been pushing the Foreign Ministry and Defense officials to intervene assist with finding solutions to help the people trying to leave who are stuck at the borders.

With knowing just that sparse information, I must say that this is a big difference between the Haredi MKs form Shas and UTJ and most of the other MKs. Most MKs are, as the job role seems to require, working on the more macro level, setting policy, passing laws, and the like. In addition to all that, the Haredi MKs spend a lot of time actually helping individuals (and I am sure other MKs do as well, but the Haredi MKs see it as an integral part of their job - let me know if I am wrong) and dealing with micro issues. An MK dealing with a traffic jam in another country getting involved because Israeli citizens are there? I am not sure how many MKs would care enough or feel responsible enough t bother with it. this might be a good thing, and maybe some see it as a bad thing - so focused on assisting individuals makes them deficient perhaps in assisting on the greater levels, but I think that is part of why their communities love them so much.

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I think the same now, with the war in Ukraine.

The PMO, Prime Minister's Office, tried to bring in the heads of the Haredi parties for a consultation to determine policy on travel to Ukraine. It ended up not happening because the Haredi MKs decided there was no point, largely because Breslavers would not listen to them anyway.

In my opinion, Israel can publicize its opinion that people should not travel to the Ukraine, it is unsafe, etc. Whatever they want to say. But anything beyond that is the decision of the pilgrims themselves and the Ukranian government. Every potential pilgrim can decide for himself if he wants to go despite the risks or not. And more importantly the Ukranian government can decide if it wants to let foreign travelers in or not. Israel should not be a part of this situation, except to issue a travel advisory.

Because of the war with Russia, the entire issue is a big question mark. Some in Ukraine have said the pilgrimage wont be allowed this year due to the danger of the war and Ukraine cant take responsibility for having people come into their danger zone, while others have said that region is relatively quiet (even though there was a recent attack in the area) so the pilgrimage will be fine.

According to the report, the Ukranians are saying that if they agree to allow it, it will only be allowed if Israel takes full responsibility for the event, including local security with Israeli police. honestly this sounds weird to me. I get the idea of overall responsibility for Israeli citizens (and Jews from elsewhere somehow represented symbolically by Israel) traveling into a war zone with danger, but they want Israel to send in the police forces and operate on Ukranian soil? That's just weird. Besides for the fact that the Israeli police are barely able to keep things under control in Israel, they want the police to travel to another country and keep things under control there, where they might not even have full authority? 

Either way, it seems funny and ironic that it is Yair Lapid, the big hater of Haredim and lousy prime minister (sarcasm to be noted), who it seems likely will make arrangements for the Breslavers to go to Uman while Netanyahu as PM didnt do anything to help them when Ukraine said no during Covid times... and Ukraine said no when the Israeli officials told it to...

There is a war going on, but that part of the country is supposedly somewhat quieter than some other parts. A little while back Ukranian authorities said Uman would almost definitely be closed this year on Rosh Hashana because of the war and Breslav pilgrims would not be let in - unless the situation changes drastically by the time the holidays roll in.

The Breslavers in general were not happy, and while waiting for better news and maybe a change in the status of the war, they did express belief that Rebbe Nachman would end the war in time for them to travel to an open Uman, but they said they would go anyway and people would find their way in, by hook or by crook.

Now Ukranian authorities, including the mayor of Uman, have said again that Uman will be closed to visitors, there is no way they can allow people in for the holiday. People might think it is ok and be willing to take the risk, but they dont have enough bomb shelters and other resources necessary to keep people safe, and they have to take responsibility because if something should happen with all those visitors, they would be held responsible. 

In general there is disappointment and anger, and some disbelief with many still think Rebbe Nachman will save the situation at the last minute. I am hearing from some Breslavers, and maybe this is the general attitude, that they will find ways to get in despite the ban. They point to Corona when Uman was closed and they got in anyway, but back then only a few slipped through and got in while most were stuck at the border in Belarus (and in other countries)..

I dont know what will happen, but I watch with curiosity. I know the Breslavers will try, but whether they succeed in getting in or not remains the question. Will Rebbe Nachman come through at the last minute?

According to Israel Hayom, Osem produces it ketchup from tomato concentrate mostly produced int he Ukraine. With the war ongoing, Ukraine has been unable to supply the product, making it difficult for Osem to produce their ketchup.

The alternative they found was to produce the tomato concentrate here in Israel. They then discovered that this might be ok for the general market as they can use tomatoes and tomato concentrates from hetter mechira produce, but the Haredi market would ot accept that at all. 

According to the report, Osem has enough stock left to last a couple of months but new production is all going to be using hetter mechira produce for the foreseeable future and their ketchup will not bear a mehadrin kashrut certification. They are looking for alternatives.

So pay attention to the ketchup you buy, if that matters to you. Make sure it has a hechsher you rely on.

I am not sure why Israel and Ukraine are the only two choices. If they could buy from the Ukraine, there must be somewhere else they can buy from now to avoid the hetter mechira issue.

It has always been said, at least since I have ever heard about Eurovision (never before I came to Israel), that Eurovision is always political. It might be a song/singing/music/weird costume  contest but the voting is always political.

With Ukraine having won, it seems in 20/20 hindsight (or even maybe in foresight among people who think about Eurovision more than I) that no other country ever had a chance, because of the war, so I feel even less bad for the Israeli contestant who failed because he never actually had a chance.

Ukraine has already beaten Russia on one battlefield. Let's see what happens on the other.

the big question is how Ukraine plans on hosting next year. Even if the war finishes before then, and even if the country Ukraine remains after the war, how will they rebuild fast enough to host the competition?

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke yesterday evening in an informal session to Members of Knesset and Ministers via Zoom. Zelenskyy wanted the opportunity to plead his case and drum up more support and assistance.

Here is Zelenskyy's full speech:

If anything, Zelenskyy was most successful at upsetting Israeli politicians from across the spectrum. Zelenskyy's comparison to the Holocaust was over the top. I got that Zelenskyy is in a tough situation and desperate to drum up support, but comparing what is happening now with Russia's attack to the Holocaust 80 years ago is not a recipe for drumming up Jewish support. Zelenskyy claims the term "final solution" is being used today in Russia about the Ukraine like it was used 80 years ago. I wish he wouldnt make us defend Putin but while war is horrible, but it isnt a form of "final solution".

And then, perhaps most egregiously, Zelenskyy attacked Israel for not sending weapons when Ukrainians protected Jews 80 years ago during the Holocaust. A claim like that is simply rewriting history.

Sure, there are Righteous Gentiles from the Ukraine. Yad Vashem recognizes 2673 Righteous Gentiles form the Ukraine. Surely there must be some more who did not get recognition for one reason or another. 2673. Out of a country of 40 million people. While many were involved in brutal massacres and violently assisting the Nazis. That shouldnt detract anything from the Righteous Gentiles but claiming a general history of saving the Jews during the Holocaust is rewriting history.

Ukraine deserves support in whatever way possible, within the confines of what Israel can do. There are much bigger countries than Israel, wealthier countries than Israel, and closer countries than Israel. Israel is helping in many ways, and maybe there are areas in which Israel can step things up and help more. Zelenskyy's Jewish guilt trip is likely to not work and might even backfire.

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   -- MK Yulie Malinovsky (Yisrrael Beyteynu), on the way Israel is handling the Ukrainian refugee situation

interesting perspective

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