Renowned and popular Israeli writer Oleg Bondarenko-Transky, author of over 1,500 short stories about animals, has sharply criticized Israel’s Foreign Ministry for the announced participation of Israel’s ambassador in the Moscow Victory Day Parade on May 9, 2025. In his statement, he questioned the moral and political justification of this decision, reminding that Moscow supports terrorist organizations hostile to both Israel and Ukraine.

The full text is published with the author’s permission:

“Disgrace on May 9 and Beyond…”

(A citizen’s and a human being’s opinion)

As a full-fledged citizen of the State of Israel who diligently pays taxes, I have every right to express my opinion on any political processes occurring in our country or abroad, as long as they are related to our state. Naturally, I must not resort to insults or groundless accusations, and therefore…

Exercising my right to democracy and pluralism, I will express my opinion on matters that, from my subjective perspective, cannot be supported by me. To be more precise—I categorically disagree with them.

Let’s begin.

The Israeli ambassador to the Russian Federation visited the head of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), a certain Mr. Gundyaev, who holds a leadership position in this religious organization. I have a question regarding this visit: since when does an Israeli ambassador visit representatives of other religious denominations in foreign countries, thereby expressing support for them?

Moreover, this organization, the ROC, not only approves of the invasion of Ukraine and the mass killing of hundreds of thousands of people but also fails to express any disagreement with the actions of terrorists attacking Israel. Can the ROC be considered a Christian organization when it has fundamentally abandoned one of the core principles of Christianity—”Thou shalt not kill”? In my opinion, no. In my view, this organization is not only un-Christian but can now be classified as a sect—an anti-Christian one.

The second issue.

The Israeli ambassador to Moscow has announced their participation in the Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9. I waited for an explanation from our Foreign Ministry, which clearly supports this visit. And at this point, my surprise, outrage, and degree of disagreement reached their peak.

Could it be that the leaders of our Foreign Ministry are unaware of facts that have long been an open secret? Such as:

• The visit of Hamas representatives to Moscow after the October 7 massacre and their expression of gratitude to the Russian government for its support.
• The discovery of a vast arsenal of Hezbollah’s Russian-made weapons.
• Moscow’s support for the Iranian ayatollah regime, which openly seeks to destroy our country.
• Russia’s transfer of modern aircraft to Iran. What do you think these are meant for?
• The constant condemnation of Israel at the UN by Russian representative Vasily Nebenzya and Russia’s habitual voting against Israel.

One could list many more points here, but what is the point if our Foreign Ministry, apparently, is not concerned with these facts? Or maybe, unlike all other Israeli citizens, they are simply unaware of them?

Another question arises in light of the above: will the Israeli ambassador in Moscow on May 9 stand on the same podium as representatives from North Korea, Iran, Belarus, and the Palestinian Authority…? I wonder, will Taliban representatives be invited as well? Will the ambassador shake their hands? Will they wear the St. George ribbon?

For me personally, the St. George ribbon is equivalent to the symbol of Nazi Germany. Imagining this scene, I am horrified. The extent of my disgust, astonishment, and incomprehension is boundless.

I ask: what is this? Is it a level of disgrace beyond the bottom? Is this an attempt to discredit our country in the eyes of the civilized world? If so, then who in our government is interested in this, and why? Why has none of our leaders deemed it appropriate to dissociate from this disgrace? How low are they willing to drag us?

Will Israel stand side by side with those who approve of aggression against Ukraine? No, ladies and gentlemen, my fellow citizens. Not only can I not accept all of this, but I also feel morally compelled to voice my disagreement with such actions by our Foreign Ministry.

I have the right to do so. I have the right to my opinion, as does each of you. And I want to offer my apologies, on my behalf and on behalf of everyone who thinks like me, to those affected in any way by the actions of our Foreign Ministry.

I want to personally apologize to the heroes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fighting for their independence. I want to apologize to all the countries that, unlike us, will not attend this disgraceful event—a gathering of terrorist states. In my view, Israel has no place there.

As a citizen of Israel and simply as a human being who condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its support for Hamas and Iran, I cannot remain silent.

Because I am a citizen and a human being. Or rather—no, not like that. I am first a human being, and only then a citizen. And one more thing—I feel deeply ashamed. Ashamed that Israel is losing its moral face in this way. A face in the dirt. And then try to wash it off. Because this stain won’t wash away.

With respect, Oleg Bondarenko-Transky.

Original text here.

Oleg Bondarenko-Transky – a writer whose works are filled with love for animals and care for their fate

Oleg Bondarenko-Transky was born on January 27, 1964, in Kherson, Ukraine. His mother, Bella Lvovna Transkaya, worked as a doctor, and his father, Dmitry Grigorievich Bondarenko, was an engineer at a thermal power plant. From childhood, he grew up among animals and learned early to care for stray pets, which later became the main theme of his creative work.

After school, he graduated from Kherson Industrial Institute with a degree in mechanical engineering. However, he never had a strong passion for this profession—he was always more drawn to nature, animals, and creativity.

Repatriation to Israel and the path to writing

In 1997, Oleg Bondarenko-Transky repatriated to Israel, where he found work at an aviation industry plant. In a country where animals play an important role in society, he continued to care for them.

Despite his technical profession, he came to writing years later. The inspiration came from the death of his beloved cat, Tom. In 2019, he began writing short stories, conveying in them the stories of animals, their destinies, and their relationships with people.

To date, he has published four books and written over 1,500 short stories. In them, he speaks not only about animals but also about moral values, human responsibility, kindness, and devotion.

“Find the Last Survivor” – a story about tragedy

One of the author’s most powerful works is “Find the Last Survivor” (original here), dedicated to the events of October 9. The story is connected to the tragedy in Kibbutz Be’eri, which was attacked by terrorists.

The main character returns to the site of a destroyed home and finds a kitten, the only surviving creature among the ruins. This symbolic image not only highlights the scale of the tragedy but also represents hope for recovery, loyalty, and the strength of life.

Literary work that changes attitudes toward animals

Oleg Bondarenko-Transky continues to actively write, sharing his works with a broad audience. He runs a Facebook group where he publishes his short stories and discusses important issues related to animal protection and rights with readers.

His short stories can be read on his website:

https://you-for-animals.com/

And on his social media pages:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/7922837564408583

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100025650303697

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1366835310394353/

https://www.youtube.com/@olegbondarenko1157

His works are read by people worldwide, as they teach compassion, responsibility, and love. In Israel, a country where respect for animals is part of the culture, his writing finds a special resonance.

NAnews – Israel News supports Oleg Bondarenko-Transky’s stance. Israel should not stand alongside those who support terror and aggression. Participation in such an event contradicts the interests of the country and its citizens.