JERUSALEM, Israel – Dozens of protestors in Israel rallied outside the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv Thursday night urging Moscow to stop its invasion of Ukraine.
Protesters held signs reading “Stop Russian Attack on Ukraine” and “Killer Putin.”
“We want to tell the Russian people that we don’t want war, we want dialogue, to talk, we must stop this mess in the world,” one protester named Roman Grinyov told The Associated Press.
“My message to Russians is that this is the time to stand up, to wake up, to go to protests. I know it could be scary, but this is the only thing you can do, and this is the only thing that will stop him,” another said.
Others held Ukrainian flags.
Earlier in the day, Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “grave violation of the international order.”
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stopped short of publicly condemning Russia for the attack but offered humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
“These are difficult and tragic moments, and our hearts go out to the citizens of Ukraine, who got into this situation without any wrongdoing on their part. Israel will reach out with any humanitarian aid needed. We have the ability, and we are experienced at it,” said Bennett.
The prime minister also urged Israeli citizens in Ukraine to leave the country.
The fighting in Ukraine has forced it to close its airspace so those looking to escape must cross land borders into neighboring countries to flee the violence.
Although Israel has been urging its citizens to leave Ukraine weeks before the invasion, there was an estimated 8,000 still left in the country when Russia’s attack began, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
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