- December 1, 2025
- 3:30 pm
- World News
11 years ago, on March 18, 2014, Russia annexed Ukrainian Crimea, which led to long-term political and humanitarian consequences.
This illegal annexation was carried out in violation of international law and without Ukraine’s consent. On the peninsula, among other ethnic groups, there was a Jewish community, including Karaites and Crimean Jews, small but significant peoples with a unique religious and cultural identity. These groups, like all other residents of Crimea, faced the threat of losing their cultural independence and rights under Russian occupation.
Israel, despite its traditional restraint in international matters, closely monitored the situation, expressing concern within the framework of the UN and supporting peaceful initiatives for restoring Ukraine’s control over Crimea.
Israel, remaining on the side of international norms, supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity, despite diplomatic restraint in its relations with Russia.
Anniversary of the Annexation of Crimea
On March 18, 2025, it will be 11 years since Russia conducted the annexation of Ukrainian Crimea by signing a treaty with the self-proclaimed “Republic of Crimea”, forming two new subjects of the Russian Federation on this territory — the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol, effectively including Crimea into the Russian Federation. This event became a blatant violation of international law and led to long-term political and humanitarian consequences.
The illegality of these actions is confirmed by numerous international resolutions, and the process of annexation was not recognized by most countries. Including Crimea in the Russian Federation is a violation of the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, in which Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom committed to respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in exchange for its renunciation of nuclear weapons. Russia violated its obligations, thereby undermining the foundations of international security.
Russia’s attempts to present the annexation as a legal union were merely a cover for aggression aimed at strengthening Russia’s influence in the Black Sea region. Russia’s confrontation with the international community did not stop it, but rather provoked further military actions, including the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Law on Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine
In 2021, Ukraine passed a law recognizing several ethnic groups as “indigenous peoples of Ukraine,” including Karaites and Crimean Jews, as well as Crimean Tatars. This law became an important step in ensuring the rights of these peoples, confirming their right to preserve their cultural heritage, language, and identity.
An indicator of the effectiveness of the Ukrainian Law “On Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine” was the hysterical reaction of Russian President Putin. The adoption of this law marked the beginning of the destruction of the “Russian world” ideology and was also a real step toward the de-occupation of Crimea.
In addition, Crimea hosts a significant number of Crimean Tatars, who were also recognized as indigenous peoples of Ukraine in 2021. However, despite the recognition of their rights, under annexation, Crimean Tatars, like Karaites and Crimean Jews, faced the threat of losing their cultural identity and religious traditions. Unlike Tatars, Karaites and Crimean Jews are Jewish communities with unique cultural and religious traditions, different from mainstream Judaism.
For Karaites and Crimean Jews, as small but unique Jewish communities, the annexation of Crimea posed a serious threat to their existence in the form they historically developed. In response to these challenges, Ukraine passed a law guaranteeing their rights, but the political instability on the peninsula raises doubts about the possibilities for real restoration and protection of these rights.
Karaites are a Jewish community that has preserved its religion and traditions, distinct from mainstream Judaism. Their connection to Crimea and Israel is particularly important, as they play a key role in supporting the Jewish cultural and historical identity on the peninsula.
Crimean Jews, on the other hand, represent a group that practices traditional Judaism but also has unique cultural traits that are part of Jewish heritage. This community has experienced not only Soviet repressions but continues to face challenges under Russian occupation, putting their unique identity at risk.
Jews in Crimea in 2014
In 2014, there were approximately 4,500 Jews living in Crimea, including 600 Karaites and 200 Crimean Jews, which accounted for less than one percent of the total population of the peninsula. It may seem small compared to the thousands-strong Jewish community of the late 19th century, and certainly very small compared to the 2.5 million population of modern Crimea. However, the influence of the Jewish community on the life of modern Crimea and their contributions to science, art, medicine, business, technology, and political life of the peninsula is difficult to overestimate.
Despite their small numbers, Jews, including Karaites and Crimean Jews, played a key role in the development of Crimea’s cultural and public life. Their contributions to the region’s economy, culture, and politics were significant, and many of these people held important positions in various spheres.
How the Annexation of Crimea Happened: History and Present
The history of the annexation began with Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2014, when Russian troops without identifying marks began seizing key facilities on the peninsula. Protests in Ukraine, known as Euromaidan, became a catalyst for the Kremlin, which saw this as a threat to its influence on the post-Soviet space. In response to the fall of power in Ukraine and Ukraine’s desire to move closer to the European Union, Russia intensified its actions.
On March 16, 2014, a disputed referendum was held, which did not meet international standards, and its results were recognized as illegitimate by most countries. This referendum was merely a cover for Russian aggression aimed at seizing the territory. Russia’s real goal was to secure its positions in the Black Sea and restore its influence in the region, leading to long-term consequences for Ukraine and international security.
Today, Crimea remains under Russia’s control, and the situation continues to be at the center of international discussions. Russia continues to support its actions in Crimea, asserting that the region has become “an integral part of Russia.” Ukraine, despite losing control, maintains that Crimea is its sovereign territory.
Reactions from the World and Israel
The reaction of the international community to the annexation of Crimea was overwhelmingly condemning. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution emphasizing that the annexation of Crimea is a violation of international law and that the peninsula remains part of Ukraine. In response to these actions by Russia, international economic sanctions were imposed, which continue to this day.
Israel’s reaction to the annexation of Crimea was restrained. Israel did not participate in the UN vote on this issue in March 2014, taking a neutral position.
Despite its political restraint, Israel condemned Russia’s actions in the UN and participated in international condemnation of the annexation. Israel does not recognize the annexation of Crimea, nor the self-proclaimed entities in Luhansk and Donetsk. Israel supports resolutions aimed at ending Russia’s occupation in the UN and other international forums.
Israel continues to refrain from making public statements about the conflict and does not supply offensive weapons to either side. Defense deals with Ukraine, while ongoing, are small and not of a decisive nature, including the supply of navigation equipment and communications tools.
Additionally, Israel participated in the third parliamentary summit of the “Crimea Platform”, held on October 24, 2024, in Riga. At the summit, Yuli Edelstein, representing Israel, stated: “Our two countries continue to lose the best sons and daughters of our peoples, but in the end, a bright future awaits us, and we are moving toward it. Only by joining forces can we cope with international terrorism.”
Karaites and Crimean Jews as Jews and Their Connection to Israel
Karaites and Crimean Jews are two Jewish communities that, in essence, are also Jews but with a unique religious and cultural identity. Karaites follow Karaism (a particular interpretation of Judaism), while Crimean Jews practice traditional Judaism, but both groups share common roots with the Jewish people.
The Karaites and Crimean Jews communities, although small, hold significant cultural and historical importance for Crimea. Unlike most Jewish communities, these groups have preserved their unique identity and traditions. Karaites and Crimean Jews have survived deportations and persecutions, but in recent decades have begun to restore their culture and return to Crimea. Israel provides assistance to these communities in preserving their language and cultural traditions, supporting their religious and cultural institutions.
How Israel Reacts to This?
Israel continues to maintain cultural ties with the Karaites and Crimean Jews, despite its political neutrality regarding the issue of Crimea. However, due to the diplomatic situation, Israel prefers not to intervene in the political conflict over Crimea while continuing to support these communities in preserving their traditions and religious practices.
Nevertheless, Russia’s influence on the international stage, especially in the context of Syria and other Middle Eastern conflicts, also compels Israel to maintain caution in its foreign policy. Despite its position on Crimea, Israel maintains ties with Russia, which allows it to minimize risks to the security of its country and Jewish communities in Russia.
Conclusions from NAnews – Israel News
The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 continues to be one of the most controversial and painful issues in international relations. For Ukraine, as well as for Karaites and Crimean Jews, this tragedy has far-reaching consequences. These indigenous peoples of Crimea were forced to face the loss of their cultural identity and rights, as well as the threat to their security and stability. In this context, Israel’s role is important, as it continues to support its communities and help preserve their cultural heritage, despite diplomatic restraint.
Russia, despite its attempts to present the annexation as a legitimate union, remains an aggressor, violating international law and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
These events have led to significant consequences for regional security, and the question of Crimea’s status continues to remain unresolved on the international stage.
