How a Ukraine Conflict Affects Israel

 Israel’s grain supply will be slashed if there is an escalation in Ukraine, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova said Sunday.

“In case of an escalation, the State of Israel will be directly affected,” she said in Jerusalem after meeting with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

Ukraine, known as “Europe’s breadbasket,” is the source of half of the grains imported into Israel, Dzhaparova said.

“Cut your bread supply in half to understand how Israel will be affected,” she said in an interview.

The Israeli construction industry likely would be negatively impacted by a war because Israel imports a lot of metals from Ukraine, Dzhaparova said. Hi-tech, which has outsourced thousands of jobs to Ukraine, also would likely suffer, she said.

“I think Israel should be involved in seeking a resolution to a greater extent,” Dzhaparova said. “With all due understanding of domestic concerns and the issues in Syria and Iran, [Israel has] large communities coming from the former Soviet Union.”

 “This is not the time for Israel to remove itself from the dossier,” she added. “It is time to demonstrate greater involvement in seeking a peaceful resolution.”

 Dzhaparova said she made these points in meetings with Israeli officials, including Lapid, who she invited to visit Kyiv. No trip is currently planned, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.