The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called on Hasidim Jews to refrain from a pilgrimage to Uman, Cherkasy region, as part of the celebration of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
“Russia’s ongoing full-scale military aggression against Ukraine, constant massive missile attacks on Ukrainian settlements, civilian and transport infrastructure, constant sabotage and provocations on the part of the invaders make it impossible to guarantee the safety of foreign citizens on the territory of Ukraine,” the foreign ministry noted.
Therefore, in view of the real threats to people’s lives and safety, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on Hasidic Jews to refrain from this year’s pilgrimage to Uman, the press service reports.
“If a decision is made to visit Uman, contrary to the above-mentioned warnings, it should be taken into account that the legal regime of martial law is in force in Ukraine, which provides for a number of additional regulations, including restrictions on freedom of movement, introduction of a curfew, implementation of tougher patrolling, prohibition of mass events and gatherings, as well as application of coercive measures against persons who will not comply with the established restrictions,” the ministry recalled.
In addition, when planning trips to Ukraine, visitors should also take into account the congestion at land checkpoints in Ukraine and possible significant delays in rail traffic due to massive shelling of transport infrastructure facilities; the lack of a sufficient number of civil protection facilities to shelter pilgrims in places of their mass stay in Uman; lack of a sufficient number of medical personnel and medical facilities in Uman to provide medical care for pilgrims; the possibility of additional entry regulations being introduced (online registration), the Foreign Ministry has warned.
“Due to fear for the lives and well-being of those who come to Ukraine, and in light of the full-blown Russian war in our country, despite all efforts, we cannot guarantee the safety of pilgrims and currently do not allow tourists to cross into Ukraine,” the ambassador of Ukraine in Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, said earlier.
According to the Uman city authorities, more than 300 Hasidim Jews arrived in the city on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
In late July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel urged its fellow citizens to refrain from traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
