Grain Dispute Strains Israel-Ukraine Relations as Jerusalem Accuses Kyiv of Social Media Diplomacy

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday, April 28, rejected Ukraine’s allegations that Israel allowed stolen Ukrainian grain into its ports, claiming that Kyiv was conducting “Twitter diplomacy.”

According to Clash Report, Sa’ar said, responding to comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Israel had received no formal evidence to support claims that a Russian cargo vessel waiting to dock was carrying grain looted from occupied Ukrainian territories.

“Clearly, we reject this kind of Twitter diplomacy,” Sa’ar said at a press conference, adding that the vessel had not yet entered port or submitted documentation, making it impossible to verify the allegations.

He also said Ukraine had not submitted an official request for legal assistance, emphasizing that any action must be based on evidence provided through formal channels.

“We say again to our Ukrainian friends: if you have any evidence of theft, submit it through the appropriate channels,” Sa’ar said, adding that Israel “will not be influenced” by public pressure.

Ukraine has raised concerns over multiple shipments of grain allegedly stolen by Russia arriving in Israel. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday that Kyiv summoned Israel’s ambassador and issued a formal protest over the reported arrival of such cargo at the Port of Haifa.

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According to Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz, a vessel carrying grain from occupied territories was awaiting permission to dock, while several similar shipments had already been unloaded earlier this year. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has requested legal assistance from Israel to seize the cargo, though it remains unclear whether any action has been taken by the Israelis.

Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing sanctions against companies involved in transporting the grain, warning that such trade constitutes handling stolen goods and could damage relations between Kyiv and Jerusalem.