by David Ben-Basat
The Ukraine war is reshaping Israel’s security, diplomacy, and society, empowering Iran, changing alliances, and redefining the challenges ahead.
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When the first shot was fired in February 2022, few imagined that the war between Russia and Ukraine would drag on for so long, reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, influence Europe, and unsettle the stability of an entire region. As the war continues, it is becoming clear that Israel is not merely watching from the sidelines. Even discreetly, it finds itself at the center of power struggles that will shape its political, security, and social future.
The war has weakened Russia both economically and militarily. Moscow – deeply entangled in the European theater – has become more dependent than ever on its partnerships in the East, foremost among them Iran. This dependency grants Tehran dangerous room to maneuver: transferring advanced weapons, upgrading missile systems, empowering terror proxies, and continuously studying Russian combat tactics in preparation for a future confrontation with Israel.
For years, Russia’s presence in Syria served as a stabilizing factor and a partial check on Hezbollah’s military buildup. Today, however, Russia is so consumed by the war that it struggles to maintain its military presence in Syria and turns a blind eye to Iranian activity that poses a direct threat to Israel.
One of the war’s most troubling aspects is the sheer volume of advanced weaponry entering the battlefield. Anti-tank systems, attack drones, night-vision equipment, and sophisticated combat technology are finding their way to “black markets.” Similar leaks occurred after the wars in Yugoslavia and Libya, but this time, the scale is far greater.
Western intelligence warns that state-of-the-art arms are seeping out of the Ukrainian arena into the Middle East. In a reality where Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other terror groups are adopting advanced tactics, the cost of Israeli mistakes is rising. Jerusalem must prepare for a battlefield in which the enemy is not only better equipped but also learning in real time from one of the most significant wars of recent decades.
Israel must preserve its operational freedom in Syria
The war in Ukraine is not only a military conflict; it is also a battle for perception. Kyiv is conducting an unprecedentedly effective international campaign. Israel, which must preserve its operational freedom in Syria on one hand while maintaining strong ties with the West on the other, finds itself walking a tightrope.The Jewish state’s caution, rooted in existential security considerations, has been received in parts of Europe as problematic ambiguity. Russia views any expression of Israeli support for Ukraine – even purely humanitarian – as a deviation and a political stance. This creates diplomatic pressure on Jerusalem and a constant struggle to maintain a balanced policy that does not always work to Israel’s benefit.
Roughly 1.2 million Russian speakers live in Israel: some from Russia, some from Ukraine, and others from former Soviet republics. The war has exposed a deep emotional rift within this community. Many Ukrainian immigrants have lost family, homes, and memories. Meanwhile, Israelis of Russian origin often feel unfairly blamed or pressured to apologize for policies that are not theirs.
In community groups, in the media, and within families, this divide is present and, in some cases, widening. Yet, alongside the tension, a renewed sense of solidarity has emerged, as veteran immigrants from the former Soviet Union help integrate new arrivals. Humanitarian aid is organized quickly, and personal connections serve as a reminder that all are ultimately part of Israeli society.
The welcome waves of immigration since 2022 have brought Israel highly skilled professionals in technology, medicine, engineering, and research. Many possess advanced expertise. The country now faces an opportunity: to integrate these newcomers into hi-tech, education, industry, and scientific research, strengthening its competitive advantage, especially as many Israelis have chosen to live abroad.
The IDF is closely studying the war’s tactics: decentralized combat, the massive use of drones, and electronic warfare. The conflict has become a live laboratory in which global powers test weapons and technologies. Observing and rapidly adopting these methods are not only nation-states but also organizations hostile to Israel.
This reality demands rapid investments in cyber capabilities, counter-drone systems, multi-domain operations, and real-time intelligence. The IDF must update its operational doctrine dynamically, as whatever proves effective in Ukraine will eventually reach Israel’s own arena, sooner or later.
The war in Ukraine is a reminder that in a globalized world, no conflict is truly distant. A missile fired in Kyiv reverberates in Haifa and Ashdod. Every shift in Moscow-Tehran relations affects the Israel Air Force’s freedom of action.
And every immigration wave reshapes and revitalizes Israeli society.
For immigrants from the former Soviet Union, this war shakes their identity, their families, and their childhood memories.
For Israel, it is a test of national resilience, diplomatic wisdom, and the ability to anticipate the future and adapt to it.
David Ben-Basat is CEO of Radios 100FM, an honorary consul and deputy dean of the Consular Diplomatic Corps, president of the Israeli Radio Communications Association, and formerly a broadcaster for IDF Radio and NBC.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-880068
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