Israel condemns Russia’s invasion, after initially avoiding direct criticism.

Israel issued a condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after initially sidestepping direct criticism to avoid antagonizing a key military power in the Middle East.

Following two days of more equivocal statements from Israeli officials, the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, said in a statement Thursday afternoon that “the Russian attack on Ukraine is a serious violation of the international order. Israel condemns the attack, and is ready and prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Ukraine.”

Mr. Lapid’s statement took care to note Israel’s “deep, long-lasting, and good relations with Russia and with Ukraine,” but it nevertheless broke with his ministry’s previous line.

In an earlier statement on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry simply noted that the conflict had entered “a new and difficult stage” and told Israel’s estimated 8,000 citizens in Ukraine to leave via land crossings in the country’s west. The ministry had avoided even mentioning Russia in a statement on Wednesday, saying only that “Israel supports the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Ukraine.”

Israel is a key ally of the United States and has received more American aid since World War II than any other country. But Israel is wary of angering Russia, which has a large military presence in Syria, Israel’s northeastern neighbor and enemy.

The Israeli Air Force frequently strikes Iranian and Syrian military targets in Syria, and needs Russia’s tacit blessing to continue that campaign. Iran uses Syria to funnel weapons and aid to Hezbollah, a militant group that dominates southern Lebanon and is opposed to Israel.

Hundreds of thousands of Jews live in Russia and Ukraine, and Mr. Lapid said that his staff would assist any Jew affected by the war.