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September 17, 19:53
Hasidim on the border of Ukraine and Belarus (Photo: Shimon Briman video screenshot via Facebook)
The Hasidic pilgrims, who were trapped on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border due to the ban on foreigners, sang the Ukrainian anthem in embroidered shirts and pants.
The video was posted on Facebook by the head of the Jewish Committee of Ukraine, Eduard Dolinsky. The singers are accompanied by harmonica, guitar and flute.
After singing the hymn, the chassidim chant «Glory to Ukraine! “And they say «Thank you Ukraine. “
«We wanted to show all Ukrainians that we love Ukraine! And we understand that border closure is not a problem for Ukraine, but a coronavirus problem. Therefore, we tell everyone that we love Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine! “- the head of the Hasidic community of Uman Yekhiel Stern commented on the speech. The video was published by the portal Lenta.UA.
The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman said that pilgrims should have been allowed to go to Uman:
«I think these are the real patriots of Ukraine! They happily make friends between Israel and Ukraine. I believe that these true patriots of Ukraine should be allowed to enter Uman to pray, with caution, with all legal aspects. “
At the same time, the Belarusian newspaper Belsat reports that some of the Hasidim are leaving on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, having given up hope that they will be allowed to enter Ukraine.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ukraine has limited the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman on the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
Despite this, thousands of pilgrims tried to enter the country through Belarus and, as a result, have remained in the neutral zone between the two countries for several days.
Due to the situation with the pilgrims, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine asked Belarus not to issue an exit to Ukraine for people who do not fall under the category of exceptions to the entry ban. The Israeli Interior Ministry asked Ukraine to let the pilgrims pass.
According to the Chief Rabbi of Kiev, Yonatan Binyamin Markovich, there are between 1,500 and 2,500 Hasidic pilgrims on Ukraine’s border with Belarus, another 300-400 foreigners are trying to reach Ukraine from Romania.
On September 16, Ukraine decided to close the Novye Yarilovichi checkpoint, the Hasidic pilgrims remained in the buffer zone. Belarus accused Ukraine of disrespect for human rights.
Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine Joel Lion said the Hasidim should return to Belarus and, from there, home.
