Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has ordered Israeli Embassy staff in Kyiv to move to consular offices in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv following a situation assessment and discussions with various international actors.
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In a statement, the ministry noted, "The consular office in Lviv has been working to provide travel documents to Israeli citizens since Thursday and will assist citizens interested in leaving the country, primarily through land border crossings to neighboring countries."
Officials said the Foreign Ministry was "prepared for any development, including the possibility of a land exit. Within this framework, Israeli diplomats stationed in Lviv as well as those serving in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova, and Hungary have held visits to border crossings with Ukraine, and meetings with the authorities at the crossings, to ensure the passage of Israeli citizens who wish to leave Ukraine."
Following a situation assessment at @IsraelMFA, as well as discussions with various international actors, FM @yairlapid has decided to instruct staff at the Israeli Embassy in Kiev @IsraelinUkraine to move to consular offices opened in the city of Lviv in western Ukraine. (1/4)
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) February 21, 2022
With Russia sending troops into Luhansk and Donetsk after Russian President Vladimir Monday recognized the independence of the separatist regions, Israeli officials believe war is increasingly likely to break out.
The assessment is that once war breaks out, it will be increasingly difficult for Jews to leave Ukraine on airplanes. With thousands of Israelis still in Ukraine, the decision was made to relocate embassy staff to Lviv, which is situated near the land border crossing with Poland. Efforts toward this end were set to commence on Tuesday.
The Foreign Ministry has called on Israeli citizens in the country to leave the country immediately. Just 4,000 Israelis have heeded Jerusalem's advice and left Ukraine thus far.
The Jewish Agency also announced it would be moving its staffers from Kyiv to Lviv in the west of the country before reassessing the security situation early next week.
Local Jewish Agency representatives in Kyiv would continue to provide service to local Jewish community members, agency officials said.
"The Jewish Agency is closely monitoring developments in the Ukraine region and is prepared to provide assistance in various scenarios, in accordance with the relevant government ministries," acting Jewish Agency Chairman Yaakov Hagoel said.
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