On August 24th, 2026, Ukraine celebrated its 35th year of reclaimed independence, against all odds and in the face of seemingly endless violence. For Palestine, independence remains an aspiration, a dream undeterred by the accelerating brutality of the occupation. While often pitted against each other on the political arena, Ukrainians and Palestinians have so much more in common, including their ongoing struggles against colonialism and imperialism. In this article, Arab America contributing writer Rami Balin discusses Ukrainian-Palestinian solidarity and the connections forged by people, not governments.
Why is it that the Ukrainian government and Israeli government are such strong allies? Ukraine gained independence from the Russian Empire with the establishment of the Soviet Union, Ukraine’s independence did not begin with the fall of the Soviet Union, but with the fall of the Tsarist system. Modern day Ukraine is a strong ally of Israel, and both are utilized in similar manners by western finance capital. Ukraine also opposes Iran, another strong ally of Palestine.
Why is it that the Ukrainian government and Israeli government are such strong allies? Ukraine gained independence from the Russian Empire with the establishment of the Soviet Union, Ukraine’s independence did not begin with the fall of the Soviet Union, but with the fall of the Tsarist system. Modern day Ukraine is a strong ally of Israel, and both are utilized in similar manners by western finance capital. Ukraine also opposes Iran, another strong ally of Palestine.