Israel Refuses to Seize Ship Carrying Ukrainian Grain—Here’s Why

Ukraine’s Request to Detain the Panormitis

According to Главком: Israel’s Foreign Ministry received a request from Ukraine to detain the vessel Panormitis for transporting grain from occupied territories. However, Kyiv’s appeal was deemed to have major factual gaps and lacked supporting evidence. Israeli police have asked the Ukrainian prosecutor’s office to provide additional information and proof, as required under Israeli law.

The Panormitis arrived at the port of Haifa around 01:07 Kyiv time on April 27, but later decided to leave Israeli territorial waters. Its cargo includes 6,200 tons of wheat and over 19,000 tons of barley. Notably, last week another ship carrying grain taken by Russian forces from occupied Ukrainian territory docked at Haifa and unloaded its cargo. This week, a second vessel with similar grain reached Israel.

Israel’s and Ukraine’s Reactions

Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated:

“Kyiv’s request for legal assistance had major factual gaps and contained no corroborating evidence.”

They also emphasized that

“Israel upholds the rule of law, and its authorities will always act in accordance with the law.”

On the Ukrainian side, the Office of the Prosecutor General formally submitted a request for international legal assistance to Israel’s competent authorities.

In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador, Michael Brodsky, and President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans for a new sanctions package. Ukraine is demanding the seizure of the Panormitis and its cargo, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The violations were committed by ships that delivered grain to the Panormitis while it was anchored at the port of Kavkaz in Russian territorial waters, without crossing Ukraine’s border.

This incident underscores growing tensions between Ukraine and Israel over international legal norms and sanctions. Ukraine’s request for the ship’s detention could have significant implications for bilateral relations, especially given Israel’s past caution in supporting Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv’s response signals its determination to keep pressuring countries that cooperate with Russia in the agricultural sector.

The ongoing situation has prompted Ukraine to take further diplomatic measures, including a formal protest to Israel's ambassador. As tensions escalate, Zelenskyy has announced a new sanctions package aimed at addressing the issue of grain theft, highlighting the complexities surrounding international maritime law and the response from Israel.