Video: “Netanyahu attended an event in support of Ukraine” – Moshe Azman on KAN REKA – and “Everything will be fine”

“…I have a video where he first spoke about Ukraine right after the war started in Ukraine. Yes, yes, yes, yes. He spoke about Ukraine for the first time… and the third time, five days before the elections, I organized an event in Jerusalem in support of Ukraine.

Everyone told me he (Netanyahu) would not come. He came, spoke, and there were Ukrainian flags.

Here…”, — Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Asman gave a major interview, which aired on July 8, 2025 on KAN REKA.

On July 8, 2025, in the studio of “Good Morning, Israel” on Kan REKA, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman gave an in-depth interview to hosts Yulia Tsodyks and Oleg Klotz. The broadcast covered the fate of the Jewish community during the war, Israel’s role in supporting Ukraine, relations between Jews in both countries, and the unwavering power of unity.

We will briefly outline the key points — but of course, it’s best to watch the full interview and hear everything firsthand.

Moshe Asman’s Journey to Ukraine

• Early years in Leningrad: clandestine Torah study under KGB surveillance.
• Service in Israel (1987–1993): army duty and first lessons in “gibush”—cohesion under fire.
• Arrival in Kyiv (1993): aid to “Children of Chernobyl” and restoration of the Brodsky Synagogue in 1997.

Relations Between Jews of Ukraine and Israel

• Family ties: waves of emigration and return build a strong bridge between communities.
• Spiritual solidarity: joint prayers and cultural exchanges.
• Mutual support: Israeli foundations operate in Ukraine, Ukrainians back Jewish projects in Israel.

First Days of the War and the Viral Address

On February 24, 2022, in frontline Anatevka three rockets fell near the Babyn Yar memorial in Kyiv. In response, he took a Torah scroll and recorded a viral address to the world, which garnered over a million views worldwide. That video became a symbol of hope and showed how media can unite people even in the toughest times.

Fighting Propaganda: The Role of Journalists and Propagandists

• Russian propagandists spread fakes about “Ukrainian Nazis” and Ukraine’s “anti-Israel stance.”
• Western journalists sometimes downplay the shared threat of the “Iran–Russia axis” and focus on internal political disputes.

Harsh assessment: Asman declared that after the coming of the Messiah “unscrupulous commentators will burn in hell,” emphasizing that lies have eternal consequences.

• Rabbi’s response: honest facts, direct appeals, and personal stories in his video addresses became a powerful antidote to manipulation.

Israel’s Role in Supporting Ukraine

• Military cooperation: Israeli instructors teach Ukrainian soldiers “gibush” tactics.
• Humanitarian aid: over 500 rescue kits and medical packs delivered to conflict zones.
• Information campaigns: the “All Will Be Well” video and other addresses boosted morale and shared the truth about the conflict.

Antisemitism and Legal Protection

• Criminal liability: the Ukrainian parliament enacted penalties for antisemitic speech.
• Security Service response: investigations and prevention of isolated vandalism acts.
• Civil support: Ukrainians view Jews as neighbors and allies, not enemies.

Expanded Section on Relations with Israel’s Prime Minister

• 10+ meetings with Benjamin Netanyahu: the first took place five months after the war began; an event five days before the elections featured Ukrainian flags in the hall.
• Focus on the “axis of evil”: Iran and Russia act in concert, threatening both nations.
• Sincerity effect: “Words spoken from the heart enter another heart,” explains Asman.

Faith and Unity as the Foundation of Survival

• Candle analogy: even the faintest flame dispels darkness.
• Purim and Haman story: an example of how unity and faith save a people.
• Lesson of the Second Temple: internal strife is more dangerous than external threats.
• Call to action: “turn off sources of division” and focus on shared purpose.

Key Takeaways

1. The viral Torah-scroll address became a symbol of hope and proof of media’s power.
2. Israel–Ukraine unity rests on spiritual closeness and practical mutual aid.
3. Information warfare is as crucial as battlefield operations in defending truth.
4. Legislation and society in Ukraine foster a safe environment for the Jewish community.

Recommendation from NAnews – Israel News: To fully grasp all the nuances, watch the full video interview.

This is far from all that Rabbi Moshe Asman discussed: he also shared thoughts on interfaith dialogue, international diplomacy, and personal trials.