Ukraine's Zelenskyy wanted to make solidarity visit to Israel, but was told ‘time not right’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted to make a solidarity visit to Israel amid the country’s war against Hamas, but was told that “the time is not right”.

The Times of Israel in a report mentioned Hebrew-language media saying Zelenskky, who has issued a strong defense of Israel after the assault from Hamas, wanted to pay a solidarity visit to the war-hit Israel.

Zelenskyy had earlier said Israel had an unquestionable right to defend itself from attacks from Palestinian terrorists.

“Terror is always a crime, not just against one country or specific victims, but against humanity as a whole,” he said.

“The world must stand united… so that terror does not attempt to take or destroy life anywhere and at any moment,” Zelenskyy said.

Israel has been persistently expressing its support for Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but has stopped short of offering military aid, sparking diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Jerusalem.

Israel has been hesitant to antagonise Moscow, which has a heavy military presence in Syria.

Meanwhile, Russia-Ukraine war entered its 600th day on Monday, October 10.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Zelenskyy said: “The goal is to not waste time. Not lose unity. Not let doubts undermine our resolve. Every day, we must add to Ukraine’s strength. Every day, we must destroy the occupier. Every day, we must make every effort to ensure that Ukraine’s future belongs solely to Ukrainians.”

He also thanked everyone who has been fighting and working for Ukraine’s freedom. “May the memory of everyone who gave their lives to preserve our nation be eternal and blessed. We will undoubtedly prevail,” Zelenskyy said.

600 days of defiance against Russia’s full-scale aggression.

Freedom is gained by a will that does not give up. Freedom founded on unity always prevails. The goal is to not waste time. Not lose unity. Not let doubts undermine our resolve.

Every day, we must add to Ukraine’s… pic.twitter.com/IxhDui3tHW

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 16, 2023

With inputs from agencies