Government said to earmark NIS 10 million to send pilgrims to Ukraine, in talks to let draft dodgers travel

The government has allocated NIS 10 million ($3 million) to support the traditional Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine, where Hasidic leader Rabbi Nachman of Breslov is buried, according to Hebrew media reports.

Funds for Israelis to visit the war-wracked country will come from the Foreign, Transportation, Interior and Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage ministries, according to Ynet.

Because there are no direct flights to Ukraine, which has discouraged visits since Russia invaded the country in 2022, pilgrims will need to travel through Moldova. Part of the money will be used to pay for flights for 50,000 Israelis, 15,000 more than visited last year, and part to compensate Moldova for assisting with logistics for transiting Israelis, the report says.

There is no immediate comment from Ukraine, which has warned pilgrims not to come in prior years, along with Israeli officials.

The report claims that Shas leader Aryeh Deri is seeking an agreement with the Defense Ministry and the army to allow Haredi men who are under travel bans due to their refusal to report for mandatory military enlistment to nonetheless make the trip, claiming that the journey is a religious necessity and should not be treated the same as travel for leisure.

Deri is said to have discussed the arrangement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

“Rabbi Deri has for weeks been engaged in discussions with the Prime Minister in order to enable the travel of some 50,000 Israelis, from across the public spectrum, who customarily pray each year on Rosh Hashanah at the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman — this in light of the absence of direct flights,” his office is quoted telling Ynet in a statement.

Earlier today, United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush, who served as Jerusalem Affairs minister until July when his party quit the government over the draft crisis, claimed earlier today to have played a part in securing the NIS 10 million for the pilgrimage.

“Before I resigned, I approved the transfer of a budget of NIS 2 million to the Foreign Ministry, which is coordinating the matter,” he is quoted telling Haredi news site Kikar Shabbat. Together with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Foreign Ministry, the Transportation Ministry and the Interior Ministry, we raised a total of NIS 10 million for this issue.”

“I commend Prime Minister Netanyahu for becoming involved, and Foreign Minister Sa’ar, who from the very beginning was a full partner in this matter,” he adds. “I recall how two years ago I had to fight for a budget of NIS 4 million, and I took quite a bit of heat for it, and now, thank God, there are already other ministries asking to join.”

Rosh Hashanah begins on September 22.