total-- : --time0:00May 01, 2026A diplomatic crisis over Israeli import of stolen grain from occupied Ukraine exploded this week following the publication of a Haaretz investigation that documents Ukrainian allegations that Russian ships were bringing the wheat and barley to Israeli ports.National Security and Cyber editor Avi Scharf and diplomatic correspondent Liza Rozovsky explain on the Haaretz Podcast how the investigation unfolded, the international fallout, its effect on Israel-Ukraine relations and the harsh war of words between the two countries.The story began in mid-April with Ukraine's announcement that "they had warned the Israeli authorities about a ship arriving with stolen Ukrainian grain, and that they had asked Israel to take necessary actions to seize the ship," Scharf said. "To their dismay, Israel did not adhere to the warnings and let the ship unload and leave Israel."The incident led Scharf to revive an investigation into the import of stolen Ukrainian grain that he had begun in late 2023, but was put on hold after October 7 and the all-encompassing Gaza war.His story, documenting the systematic importation of wheat, sparked strong reactions both from Ukraine and the European Union, which threatened sanctions against Israel if such imports continue.Rozovsky noted that the Ukrainian reaction was "the most straightforward attack on Israeli policy than we've seen since the beginning of the war" between Russian and Ukraine.After the story was published – and Haaretz revealed the name of the company importing the grain – the company announced that it was cancelling the purchase.In the NewsStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityWith His Iran Deterrence Squandered, Trump Might Feel Forced to Resume WarIran Could Enrich Uranium to Weapons-grade Level if U.S. Attacks, Lawmaker SaysHaaretz CartoonYair Golan Is the Best Choice for IsraelRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIWhatsApp Co-founder Donates Record-breaking $200 Million to Jerusalem HospitalThe Mysterious Copper Scroll and the End of DaysLeaked Video of Arab Lawyer's Violent Arrest Contradicts Israel Police Account'A Slave Economy': Inside Israel's ultra-Orthodox Parallel StateConstruction Begins on Bypass Road to Bring 'One Million' Israelis to West BankZionism Didn't Go Wrong, It Was Always Built This Way