Jewish Agency Caught in Ukraine ‘Evacuation’ Plan Leak Drama
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Israel’s Foreign Ministry has accused the Jewish Agency for Israel of leaking a plan to evacuate Jews from Eastern Ukraine, in the wake of ongoing political crisis and violence.
The plans were reported in the Ukrainian media, Israel’s Channel 2 reported Wednesday evening. The plans are no longer viable, according to the report.
Israel’s ambassador to the Ukraine, Reuven Din El, called the leaks “harmful and dangerous-politically, operationally, and to our image,” and make Ukrainian Jews subject to charges of dual loyalty.
“I would like to express my deep shock from the publication of plans that were supposed to be secret,” he wrote in a telegram, according to Channel 2.
The Jewish Agency has denied responsibility for the leaks.
The Jewish Agency told JTA on Tuesday that there is no mass evacuation planned.
The Jewish Agency started a hotline earlier this month for Ukrainian Jews wishing to move to Israel, which streamlines the immigration process, a senior Jewish Agency official told JTA.
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