Belarus feeds Hasidim who were not allowed in by Ukraine
About 700 Hasidic Israelis are stuck in no man's land between Belarus and Russia. They were heading to the city of Uman, where they traditionally celebrate the Jewish New Year on September 19 at the grave of the famous righteous tzaddik Nachman.
However, this year, Ukrainian border guards did not allow pilgrims to cross due to the critical coronavirus situation, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
Earlier, the mayor of Uman, Alexander Tsebriy, came to the office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky with a tent and sleeping bag. According to Tsebriy, the vast majority of city residents are against this, since Israel is currently in the red zone due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Now the Jews are stuck between two countries. Not only are they outraged, but they also sing and dance. One of them tried to cross the border through the swamp tonight. But due to the political events of the last month, control at the border has now been strengthened, and the wet poor fellow was returned to his fellow tribesmen in no man's land.
Jews are fed by Belarusians. President Alexander Lukashenko ordered to provide the pilgrims with kosher food. The Belarusian Ministry of Emergency Situations sent 8 modules with life support systems and lighting equipment to the border. The Gomel Regional Executive Committee also volunteered to help the Hasidim.
Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri appealed to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky with a request to allow Hasidim into the country.
“I appeal to you to allow entry on emergency humanitarian grounds for those on the Belarusian border only for the period of the Jewish New Year, subject to restrictions and in compliance with all sanitary standards of the COVID-19 period that your country deems necessary,” – says the letter handed over to Zelensky by the Israeli ambassador.
Belarus is feeding Hasidim who were barred from entering Ukraine.