- February 25, 2026
- 11:37 am
- Israel
On the evening of February 24, 2026, on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, a rally in support of Ukraine was held at Habima Square in Tel Aviv. The event brought together Israelis, the Ukrainian community, diplomats, and representatives of public organizations.
Symbolically, the event took place in the center of Israel’s cultural capital — in front of the Habima Theater. The square became a space of memory, solidarity, and a political signal.
Who spoke and what was said
The rally was organized by the non-governmental organization Israeli Friends of Ukraine with the support of the Ukrainian embassy in Israel.
Among the speakers were the Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, Yevgeny Korniychuk, co-founders of the ‘Israeli Friends of Ukraine’ Anna Zharova and Vyacheslav Feldman, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Ilya Reznikov, freed Ukrainian serviceman Oleksiy Anulya, and the head of the Council of Reform Rabbis of Israel, Binyamin Minich.
Quotes and highlights
Yevgeny Korniychuk quoted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky:
“Putin has been taking Kyiv in three days for four years now,” the diplomat reminded, emphasizing the resilience of Ukrainian resistance.
The ambassador thanked Israel for its support and urged participants to demand a more active political stance from Knesset members regarding Kyiv.
In his speech, Korniychuk also highlighted the ‘axis of evil’ factor — the use of Iranian drones and Russian weapons against civilians both in Ukraine and Israel. According to him, this confirms the presence of common threats to both democracies.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Ilya Reznikov spoke about the country’s strategic resilience and the need for international consolidation.
Binyamin Minich noted that he is from annexed Crimea and declared from the stage:
“Crimea is Ukraine.”
The rabbi recited the Kaddish in memory of the fallen.
Atmosphere of memory and solidarity
Hundreds of people came to the square to express support for the Ukrainian people, who have been living in wartime conditions for four years.
Participants honored the memory of the fallen with a minute of silence, lit candles, and laid flowers. The evening was not only political but also memorial in nature.
The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, accredited ambassadors of partner countries in Israel, and representatives of the Jewish and Ukrainian communities.
The idea of unity and invincibility of the peoples of Ukraine and Israel in the face of pressure, missile attacks, and drones was particularly emphasized.
Such events demonstrate that the Israeli-Ukrainian agenda goes beyond diplomacy. Publications in NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency have repeatedly noted that public support is becoming an important element of bilateral relations, especially against the backdrop of common security challenges.
Political and regional context
The fourth anniversary of the war once again highlighted the topic of international responsibility and collective response to aggression.
Speakers from the stage emphasized: 1461 days of resistance have proven that predictions of Kyiv’s quick fall did not come true. Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In the Israeli context, the rally at Habima was a signal of solidarity, but also a reminder that threats from Iran and its allies affect both countries.
The formula voiced from the stage was unequivocal: neither missiles, nor drones, nor pressure will force Ukraine and Israel to abandon freedom and democratic values.
It is this linkage — freedom, security, and international support — that defines the logic of today’s dialogue between the two states.
