Ukraine on Thursday strongly warned the nearly 2,000 Israelis who have been stuck at the border since the beginning of this week, that they will not be allowed entry due to COVID restrictions.
The group had been waiting and pleading for days to gain entry and have their annual blast of inspiration Davening Rosh Hashana with thousands of other Jews at the Kever of R’ Nachman in Uman.
Some had managed to get to Uman before Ukraine closed its borders in late August amid a surge in COVID-19 infections. Thousands of others traveled via Belarus, which hasn’t barred foreign visitors from entering.
Video Credit: Yid Info
It's morning at the #Belarus border, as hundreds are still waiting to pass the border to #Uman, #Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/9ISB5DxZ41
— Yid Info (@YidInfoNews) September 15, 2020
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry official Mykhailo Apostol has confirmed “Ukraine has shut its borders to foreigners, and no exclusions will be made for the Hasidic pilgrims,”. “It’s getting colder and we suggest that they come back to Belarus, buy tickets, and go home.”
MK Ze’ev Elkin as well is now urging Breslover Chasidim stuck at the Ukrainian border to return to Israel after negotiations between Ukrainian and Israeli officials broke down.
