Israelis to make Ukraine pilgrimage despite risk of Russian attacks
Despite the raging war, thousands of Israeli Breslow Hassidim and other pilgrims are determined to spend the Jewish New Year in the Ukrainian city of Uman.
Thousands of Israeli pilgrims are expected to travel to the Ukrainian town of Uman for Rosh Hashana on Sept. 15, despite a warning from Ukrainian Embassy in Israel on Monday that the pilgrims' safety could not be guaranteed as Russia’s assault on Ukraine continues.
The pilgrims will enter the country as regular tourists. "As of the moment, no special procedures are in effect," the Ukrainian spokesperson told Al-Monitor, adding, "Through what country the pilgrims will be entering Ukraine is not our sphere of responsibility."
The embassy in Israel was reiterating warnings issued by Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak who told Kan broadcaster last week, "Russia fired at Uman during the year and people were killed. There is no guarantee that this will not happen during the holiday.”
Podolyak warned of Moscow’s indiscriminate shelling. “Russia randomly shoots people and therefore it is dangerous. We will allow the Israelis to enter, but whoever enters takes the risk on himself," noted Podolyak.
