Dim Amor

State secrets, shadowy diplomatic ties, and a multitude of unanswered questions, this is the story of the vessel “ABINSK,” which has suddenly become a symbol of moral and political failure at the gates of the State of Israel. While the Israeli government entrenches itself behind a “right to remain silent,” the evidence uncovered here by “Maakav” paints a picture of a state that prefers to turn a blind eye to the looting of national resources, indirect support for the occupation of Crimea, and granting free rein to a country that sells weapons and missiles to Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.

Are we living in a free state that upholds the rule of law, or have we become a bureaucratic dictatorship where freedom of information is nowhere to be found?

Early Warning: The Chronicle of a Known Failure

Documents obtained by “Maakav” reveal that this scandal did not strike Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs like a bolt from the blue. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy in Israel issued official statements of unprecedented severity. According to Ukrainian authorities, the Ukrainian side had notified its Israeli counterparts in advance, as early as March 23, regarding the vessel "ABINSK" and the possible origin of its cargo from temporarily occupied territories.

Ukraine made it unequivocally clear: "Such imports must not be accepted or permitted". Despite explicit Israeli assurances of :appropriate handling", the reality on the ground amounted to a slap in the face of international diplomacy. Between April 12 and 14, the vessel was allowed to unload its cargo at the Port of Haifa without interference.

The Mechanism of Plunder: Russia’s "Shadow Fleet" at Haifa Port

What lies within the ship’s hold? According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the "ABINSK" is not merely a cargo vessel but an integral part of a "shadow fleet", a sophisticated mechanism used by the aggressor state (Russia) for the illegal extraction, transportation, and marketing of looted Ukrainian agricultural products.

This is blood money. The revenue generated from sales at the Port of Haifa, according to Ukrainian claims, is used to directly finance the war effort against Ukraine. The most disturbing connection for the Israeli public is that Russia, which profits from the same looted goods unloaded in Haifa, is also the one supplying technology and missiles that ultimately fall on us here in Israel through its proxies in Lebanon and Gaza.

Diplomatic Clash: Gideon Sa’ar vs. Andrii Sybiha

The peak came when Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, raised the issue in a direct conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar. In an official post on X (Twitter), Sybiha exposed the depth of the dispute:

"I drew attention to a Russian vessel carrying grain stolen from Ukraine, which was allowed to dock at one of Israel’s ports. I emphasized that the illegal export of stolen Ukrainian agricultural products is part of Russia’s broader war effort. Trade in stolen goods must not be allowed".

Translation:

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is closely monitoring developments related to the arrival of the vessel "ABINSK" at the Port of Haifa in Israel. The ship is carrying a cargo of wheat which, according to several sources, originates from territories of Ukraine under temporary occupation.

The Ukrainian side informed its Israeli partners in advance, already on March 23, regarding the ‘ABINSK’ and the suspicion concerning the origin of the cargo. Ukraine emphasized that import operations involving such goods are unacceptable and received assurances that an appropriate response would be provided.

In light of these communications, it raises deep concern that between April 12 and 14, the vessel was allowed to unload its cargo at the Port of Haifa.

The Ukrainian side identifies the ‘ABINSK’ as a vessel that may be part of the ‘shadow fleet’ used by Russia for the export, transportation, and illegal sale of looted Ukrainian agricultural products. These actions exploit resources from territories under temporary occupation and ultimately contribute to financing the war against Ukraine.

Following an investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, which included a Ukrainian court decision to seize the vessel and its cargo as part of criminal proceedings, the Ukrainian side immediately submitted a request for international legal assistance to the State of Israel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses hope for cooperation between the competent authorities of Ukraine and Israel. We expect a proper examination of our request and the implementation of the relevant legal mechanisms within Israeli jurisdiction.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel remain in continuous contact with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other competent authorities to ensure appropriate measures are taken.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expects the Israeli side to reach a balanced decision in accordance with the law, including seizing the agricultural shipment in question, in order to prevent similar cases in the future.

Ukraine is committed to bringing to justice all those involved in the illegal export of its resources from temporarily occupied territories. We call on our international partners to maintain a principled position and act to prevent such practices.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine will continue to use all necessary diplomatic and legal means to protect the national interests of the state".

And what was the response of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Silence and evasion. We approached Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and were referred to his spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein. The response provided to "Maakav" was a model of governmental ambiguity: "We have conveyed our responses on the matter to our Ukrainian friends through diplomatic and professional channels".

Where has transparency gone? Where is the explanation to the Israeli public regarding this cooperation?

MK Sharren Haskel: The Only Light at the End of the Tunnel

Amid this darkness, the conduct of MK Sharren Haskel, who serves as Deputy Foreign Minister, stands out positively. "Maakav" contacted Haskel, who stated that although she was not familiar with all the details of the case, she promised to examine the matter and update us. The truth is that from the moment she entered the picture, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Her willingness to investigate and respond reflects an integrity that is sorely lacking among other governmental levels, which prefer to hide behind "substantial difficulties in identifying the origin".

The Legal Crisis: Seizure Orders vs. Israeli Indifference

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine did not stop at words. A formal and urgent request for international legal assistance was submitted, backed by a Ukrainian court decision ordering the seizure of the vessel and its cargo. Ukraine expects Israel "to make a considered decision in accordance with the law, including ordering the seizure of the said grain cargo".

However, Israeli authorities continue on their course. The official position, claiming a lack of "documentary evidence" confirming the theft of the grain, appears to be a weak excuse. How is it possible that Ukraine provides "shadow fleet" data and court documents, while Israel claims "significant complexity in proving the circumstances"?

Who Really Controls the Port?

It should be recalled that the Port of Haifa has been privatized and is currently owned by the Adani Gadot consortium (70% owned by India’s Adani Group and 30% by Gadot Group). Does the fact that these are private entities remove the government’s moral and security responsibility? The answer is no. The government is the regulator, and it is the one that allowed the vessel to enter.

These days, "Maakav" is operating vis-à-vis the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs, and the Tax Authority under the Freedom of Information Law. While the authorities are dragging their feet (28 business days remain for an official response), the questions only continue to multiply:

Why is Israel effectively supporting the occupation of Crimea by legitimizing such cargo?
Why is Israel assisting Russia while it arms our most bitter enemies?
What is the government hiding from the Israeli public?

A Stain on Israel’s Reputation

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on its international partners "to take a principled and unequivocal stance". Israel, it seems, has chosen a position of cheap political maneuvering at the expense of international justice. The lack of response from Gideon Sa’ar and his office, contrasted with the willingness of MK Sharren Haskel to examine the issue, exposes a deep fracture in the conduct of the government.

We at "Maakav" will not relent. We will continue to conduct a comprehensive investigation, await Freedom of Information documents, and present the public with the bitter truth: it is very possible that the bread we consume is mixed with the blood of a people fighting for their freedom, and with grain looted under the cover of Israeli silence.

Israel and its government, what are you hiding? This shame rests entirely upon us.

Photo credits: Vladimir Putin (AP); Gideon Sa’ar (Knesset website). Use in accordance with Section 27A of the Copyright Law.