- October 15, 2025
- 9:14 pm
- Ukraine
October 13, 2025, on the day of two great Jewish holidays — Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine extended greetings to servicemen who practice Judaism. Primarily to Jews serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Defense Forces of Ukraine, as well as to servicemen of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
«…אַשְׁרֶ֨יךָ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל מִ֣י כָמֹ֗וךָ»
«The Armed Forces of Ukraine congratulate all servicemen and servicewomen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Defense Forces of Ukraine who practice Judaism, and all servicemen and servicewomen of the Israel Defense Forces on the day of two great holidays — Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah», — says the statement of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This greeting sounds not like a formal gesture, but as a message of unity. The General Staff emphasized: the memory of past terrorist attacks and totalitarian regimes should have protected humanity from hatred, but Russia has once again brought the ideology of evil to Europe, which in Ukraine is called rashism.
«The memory of all previous terrorist acts and regimes should have protected humanity from any manifestations of national and racial enmity, from the propaganda of intolerance and violence.
But the Russian Federation — a terrorist country and a state sponsor of terrorism, the heir of Soviet totalitarian ideology and the Nazi ideology of the Third Reich. By combining these two systems, it created the ideology of rashism and in the 21st century began a new armed and hybrid aggression in Europe against Ukraine — an aggressive, unjustified, unfair, vile war of Russia against Ukraine since 2014.
This war is built by Russia on the ideology of Nazism, fascism, and racial superiority. Russia cynically, falsely, and manipulatively created and continues to incite hatred towards Ukraine, Ukrainians, and other peoples in the image of National Socialism.
Russia embodies a totalitarian imperialist political ideology built on theories of anti-Semitism, anti-Ukrainianism, many other “anti-…” and racial superiority.
The results of this indoctrination are visible in thousands of killed, executed, tortured, raped — victims of war crimes, crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people committed by Russians in Ukraine since 2014.
The worst terrorist regimes take this as an example. Russia, its military-political leadership, and citizens of the Russian Federation will be held accountable for all crimes against Ukraine.», — says the text of the appeal.
The message ends like this – 
#AFU are grateful for #Israel support and assistance!
and added:
אַשְׁרֶ֨יךָ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל מִ֣י כָמֹ֗וךָ עַ֚ם נוֹשַׁ֣ע בַּֽיהוָ֔ה מָגֵ֣ן עֶזְרֶ֔ךָ וַאֲשֶׁר־חֶ֖רֶב גַּאֲוָתֶ֑ךָ וְיִכָּֽחֲשׁוּ אֹיְבֶ֙יךָ֙ לָ֔ךְ וְאַתָּ֖ה עַל־בָּמוֹתֵ֥ימוֹ תִדְרֹֽךְ׃
Translation:
«Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is the shield of your help and the sword of your glory; and your enemies shall fall before you, and you shall tread upon their heights.»
It is in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 33, that this verse is found — «אַשְׁרֶ֨יךָ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל מִ֣י כָמֹ֗וךָ…» — part of Moses’ blessings to the people of Israel before his death.
This is the last chapter of the Torah — parasha “Vezot HaBerachah” (וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה), read in synagogues at the end of the Torah reading cycle, right before the holiday of Simchat Torah.
The post also mentions pages and figures:
- יצחק הרצוג — Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel
- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) — Israel Defense Forces
- The Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (בנימין נתניהו) — Prime Minister of Israel
- Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel
- Israel Ministry of Defense — Ministry of Defense of Israel
- Ізраїль в Україні (Israel in Ukraine) — Embassy of the State of Israel in Ukraine
- Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel — Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel
- Chief Rabbi of Ukraine (Головний Рабин України) — Chief Rabbi of Ukraine
What lies behind the words of the General Staff
At first glance, this is just a festive greeting, but for the military of Ukraine, every word is a signal. It emphasizes not only respect for the Jewish community but also a reminder to the world of the price of freedom. Ukraine and Israel are two countries forced to live under constant threat and defend themselves without losing their humanity.
The message of the General Staff combines two meanings: spiritual and political. On one hand, it is an appeal to believers — those who celebrate the joy of the Torah even in the shadow of war. On the other hand, it is a reminder that Judaism, like Ukrainian culture, is built on the idea of memory. Memory of suffering and at the same time of resilience.
Why this publication is important
The appeal of the General Staff does not flatter Israel and does not imitate diplomatic forms. It speaks directly and with military honesty. There are no requests, only gratitude and a moral position: the alliance of nations is built not on benefit but on common principles.
Ukrainian military reminds: both Russia and Nazism, and any regime that justifies violence, are built on one idea — the superiority of some over others. And today Ukraine is opposing precisely this ideology, just as Israel once opposed terror and hatred.
What is the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is the central body of military management, a kind of “brain of the army”. Here decisions are made about the strategic defense of the state, all types of troops and operations are coordinated, intelligence data is analyzed, and interaction with allies is planned.
The General Staff is headed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, since February 8, 2024 — General Oleksandr Syrskyi. Under his leadership, defense plans are created, mobilization is organized, and joint work with NATO partners and democratic countries, including Israel, is planned.
The General Staff ensures round-the-clock management of the troops, unites intelligence, logistics, cyber defense, and is responsible for preparing the army for modern challenges.
The moral dimension of war
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine increasingly acts not only as a military but also as a moral institution. Its texts are not just reports on battles but appeals to conscience. Ukrainian military directly calls things by their names: Russia is responsible for war crimes, genocide, and the destruction of the foundations of human civilization.
This appeal is yet another proof that Ukraine is fighting not only for its borders but also for the principle: evil cannot be justified. And in this sense, the greeting on the day of Jewish holidays is a reminder that celebrating life means protecting it.
Conclusion
The words of the Ukrainian military sounded not like ritual diplomacy, but as a human testimony. The General Staff congratulated its Jewish warriors and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, but behind these words lies more — a common understanding that freedom and memory always go hand in hand.
Ukraine and Israel are not similar in geography, but they are similar in essence: two countries that have chosen to live, even when it is difficult.
NANews — News of Israel continues to monitor the development of Ukrainian-Israeli relations and their spiritual context. More analysis and news — at https://nikk.agency/.
