Ukraine may ban Israeli pilgrims from Uman for Rosh Hashanah
Ukraine is considering banning Israeli and other nationals from visiting the city of Uman, in the Cherkasy region, for the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) holiday.
According to The Jerusalem Post (JP) and other media outlets, which cited anonymous Ukrainian officials, the possible ban is being considered due to the "dangerous situation related to Russia's war against Ukraine."
As explained by the online publication RBK, such a move would be particularly painful for Hasidic Jews, followers of a branch of Judaism. "The city of Uman, in Ukraine's Cherkasy region, is one of the centres of Hasidism and a pilgrimage site for Breslov Hasidim."
Kyiv's displeasure over Netanyahu call
According to JP, Kyiv is displeased with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision not to call Ukrainian leaders to offer congratulations for Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24.
The Rosh Hashanah holiday begins on September 22. JNS news agency, which specialises in news about Israel and Jewish topics, reported that in September 2024, 35,000 pilgrims visited Uman, despite warnings from Ukrainian and Israeli authorities.
Meanwhile, Barak Ravid, a journalist for the online publication Axios, wrote on August 31 on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorshtein stated that "until today, Ukraine's policy regarding the arrival of worshippers for Rosh Hashanah has not changed."
Moldova allows transit
In a phone conversation on August 25, Prime Minister Dorin Recean and his Tel Aviv counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed the organisation of the Hasidic Jewish pilgrimage. The government said the two leaders discussed security and logistics for the pilgrimage, with the costs to be covered by the Israeli side. The pilgrimage takes place every September, and sees pilgrims transiting through Moldova to reach Uman in Ukraine, where they celebrate the Jewish New Year.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
