The government of Israel demanded from Ukraine to introduce restrictions for Hasidim pilgrims who visit Uman for Rosh Hashanah celebration as The Jerusalem Post reported citing Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Unfortunately, this year, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, we had to implement very strict policies at the request of Israel to ensure the safety of both the citizens of Ukraine and our visitors coming from all around the world. I am really sorry that it led to unpleasant consequences for the pilgrims,” Zelensky said.
The president noted that the protection of the health of foreign guests and Ukrainian citizens remains the main priority during the pandemic.
“Aside from the exceptional and temporary measures put in place to combat COVID-19, visitors from Israel and from all around the world will always be welcomed in Uman and in Ukraine,” the president noted.
Besides, Zelensky noted that Ukraine wants to restore the scheduled flights and tourism with Israel when the situation with coronavirus allows to do it.
On August 17, the Cabinet of Ministers and State Commission on human-generated environmental disasters and the emergency situations banned Hasidim pilgrims to visit Uman in 2020.
Earlier, Mayor of Uman Oleksandr Tsebriy stood against the arrival of Hasidim in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“The government predicts the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic exactly for September. That is why I stand against the visit of our city by the pilgrims this year,” Tsebriy stated.
Uman Mayor specified that he was ready to block the roads not to allow the arrival of Hasidim pilgrims for the celebration of Rosh Hashanah due to the situation with coronavirus.
Besides, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine formed the view that the arrival of the dozens of thousand of Hasidim-pilgrims in Uman for the celebration of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah in the traditional format this year is impossible.
Later, the United Jewish Community of Ukraine stated that there is no official ban from the Ukrainian authorities for the arrival of Hasidim pilgrims in Uman.
