In his speech to the Israeli Knesset on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukrainian President) made an unwise strategic decision. Zelensky, a man who has every right to be desperate given the threat to his country, revised Ukraine’s WWII-era history as being pro-Jewish in an attempt to pressure Israel into stronger actions against Russia. The comments were not well received by Israeli legislators for obvious reasons.
It was during the Holocaust that Ukraine was an area of extensive collaboration with Nazi Germany. This is why it was suggested otherwise. Moreover, comparing the present war to the Final Solution, however horrendous, was also problematic. Israelis take any hint of Holocaust denial very seriously, and you can’t fault them for that. That doesn’t mean all Ukrainians during WWII were nazis because they weren’t. It also doesn’t mean you can’t understand why some chose that path given the brutality of Joseph Stalin in the east.
Of course, nothing about Ukraine’s past (nor any modern-day nazi remnants like the Azov Batallion) justifies Vladimir Putin’s current invasion. Still, history is history, and I’m of the opinion that Zelensky should be smart about how he states things in his attempts to secure support, especially when dealing with a nation like Israel.
Although there is some debate about the exact form Zelensky should be addressing the Knesset’s comments, Rep. Adam Kinzinger chose not to smear himself with honey but to run naked through the woods.
Israel’s reaction to #UkraineFuture US aid will be affected by this. #Israel. You can pay it forward
— Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger) March 20, 2022
Kinzinger is able to assume a position almost held by no one. It’s one thing to believe Israel should do more. Personally, I see how Israel has been caught between Russia and Syria. The continuation of antiterror operations is paramount. Still, it’s not out of bounds to suggest that Israel should enact sanctions or speak up more strongly against Putin’s invasion.
Kinzinger’s response is just asinine, though. He does not have power to declare future assistance to Israel based on the Jewish nation’s decision to arm Ukraine or take more action against Russia. Kinzinger isn’t even going to be in Congress next year because his Democrat pals redistricted him out of his seat in Illinois. His Twitter account should be taken away by someone before he causes real harm to international relations.
Zweiten, aid should not be conditional on Ukraine’s support for Israel. Although many people try to portray it as the latter, the purpose of aid isn’t moral. Is our assistance to Israel serving a purpose? It should be continued if it serves a purpose. If it doesn’t, then it should cease. Ukraine should not be included in that equation.
Kinzinger could be just like Rep. Thomas Massie and not support foreign aid. He’s not, though, and is instead trying to set up a quid pro quo with Israeli aid to fit his policy wants. Although I was told that it was an impeachable offense, I digress.
You need to be able to see the big picture when it comes down to foreign policy. I believe the United States has an imperative to help Ukraine in whatever way it can, but I also believe that in that pursuit, we shouldn’t cause issues where none currently exist when there is no payoff. While it is unlikely that Putin will be deterred by Israel’s harsher treatment of Russia, it may make the Middle East more dangerous than it is now. Kinzinger’s approach, with his calls for no-fly-zones and his rampant, singularly focused war-mongering, is idiotic and should be dismissed.
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