Ukraine and Israel coordinate security for Hasidic pilgrims in Uman

A meeting took place yesterday, September 11, between Israel’s Minister of National Security and Knesset member Itamar Ben Gvir and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk.

A constructive and effective plan was agreed upon. The initiative includes deploying dozens of police officers, paramedics, and volunteers, including members of the ultra-Orthodox community, to ensure the safety and well-being of the tens of thousands of worshippers expected to arrive in Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

As part of the preparations, full security coordination was agreed upon, along with the creation of a special medical and security network in cooperation with Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Reuven Asman. His teams will operate at border crossings and on-site to guarantee the pilgrims’ safety.

The plan also strengthens direct cooperation between the police and border services of both Israel and Ukraine.

Both countries hope the Hasidic pilgrimage will proceed calmly and peacefully. Pilgrims are urged to consider security risks in Ukraine due to Russia’s war and to respect law and order within the country.

Rosh Hashanah

Every year, tens of thousands of people travel to Uman for the Jewish New Year to visit the grave of Hasidic sage Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who lived at the turn of the 19th century. This year, Rosh Hashanah falls on September 22.

Last year, Ukraine urged Hasidic pilgrims to refrain from visiting, but tens of thousands still arrived, crossing the border via Moldova. The local authorities in Uman agreed to accept pilgrims under certain restrictions.

Earlier this year, The Times of Israel reported that due to the full-scale war and ongoing Russian attacks, Ukrainian authorities had allegedly decided to ban the annual Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman.

However, within a few hours, Israel denied reports that Ukraine had banned Hasidic pilgrims from visiting Uman for Rosh Hashanah.