In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Kornichuk said on Thursday, that the Jewish pilgrimage to the tomb of Rabbi Nachman in Uman is too dangerous, and will most likely not take place this year.
"I have checked with the president's office and was told that we will not allow tourists from anywhere to enter the country because we cannot guarantee their safety," the ambassador said.
He called on the religious communities in Israel to pray for Ukraine's victory. "Your prayers are important to us," he said. "Please pray that the war will end before the Jewish new year," Kornichuk said.
Over 30 thousand religious pilgrims, a majority of whom are Israeli, visit the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in the Ukrainian city of Uman during the High Holidays, and especially during Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year.
Even during the peak of the COVID pandemic - when Ukraine's borders, like most other countries, were closed for visitors - Jewish pilgrims managed to make their way to the site.
Some Jews expressed deep frustration over the Ukrainian decision to call off the annual religious event.
"It is disappointing to see that Rosh Hashana is the easiest thing to cancel," says David, a Breslov Hassid who embarks on the pilgrimage to Uman annually.
"Tourists enter before Rosh Hashana and they will enter after as well. Its expected from the Ukrainian embassy to hear out the Hassidic people before such a dramatic decision," he said. "Uman is over 200 kilometers (125 miles) away from the closest warzone, and therefore it must be seen as a sensitive issue and at least a limited amount of people should be granted the ability to maintain the century-old tradition."