Israel turns away ship with stolen Ukrainian grain in win for Kyiv
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Editor's note: The story has been updated with the latest details.
The Panormitis ship transporting grain stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories will not unload its shipment in Israel, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on April 30.
"This demonstrates that Ukraine's legal and diplomatic actions have been effective," Sybiha said on X, after the shipment sparked a diplomatic row between Kyiv and Israel.
The Panama-flagged bulk carrier Panormitis, allegedly transporting over 6,200 tons of wheat and 19,000 tons of barley looted by Russia in Ukraine, is departing the Haifa Bay and heading west, according to maritime traffic tracking services.
Israeli importer Zenziper reportedly rejected the cargo in accordance with the stance of Israel's Grain Importers Association.
"The Russian supplier of the cargo will have to find an alternative destination to unload it," the association said on April 30, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Sybiha called the move a "clear signal to all other vessels, captains, operators, insurers, and governments: do not buy stolen Ukrainian grain. Do not become part of this crime."
Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said the ship's movements and its cargo would continue to be monitored.
Any involvement with the shipment will be met with a legal response "in any jurisdiction that recognizes the rule of law and respects Ukraine's sovereignty," the office said.
Kyiv said it had repeatedly appealed to Israel to prevent the shipment, confirming on April 29 that it had formally requested legal assistance to seize the vessel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar initially criticized Ukrainian officials for raising the dispute publicly on social media before confirming on April 29 that Israeli authorities are now examining the matter.
This is not the first such case: another vessel, the Russian bulk carrier Abinsk, allegedly carrying stolen Ukrainian wheat, unloaded its cargo in Haifa earlier in April.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that at least four shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain arrived at Israeli ports only this year.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said it had been informing Israel about Abinsk since March, and later requested legal assistance to seize the vessel. Israel refused to intervene, citing a lack of evidence, and the vessel was allowed to unload its cargo and depart, Kyiv says.
According to Kyiv, Russia has been systematically seizing grain from territories under its occupation and arranging its export through networks tied to the occupying administration.
These operations, Ukraine maintains, violate not only international norms but also the domestic laws of countries that receive such cargo.
Between January and April, 25 vessels from the Russian grain fleet made 50 voyages from occupied Ukrainian ports to third countries, mostly carrying illegal grain shipments, according to Kyiv.
"During this period, over 850,000 tons of grain were exported from the occupied territories of Ukraine," Sybiha said on April 29.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on April 28 that other countries, including Turkey, Egypt, and Algeria, have accepted similar deliveries.
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