Netanyahu warns against Uman travel: ‘God has not always protected us in Europe’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stresses that traveling to Uman in Ukraine over Rosh Hashanah is dangerous, even as the government approves aid for such pilgrims.

“Israeli citizens who are traveling to Ukraine must take personal responsibility for their travels,” Netanyahu says at the cabinet meeting. “God has not always protected us, not on European land and not on Ukrainian land.”

Netanyahu says that in Israel when missiles are fired, Israelis head for shelter, “but there there are no shelters,” he says, noting that in his recent conversation with President Volodymr Zelensky, the Ukrainian leader stressed that the city of Uman cannot protect a large influx of tourists.

The government nevertheless approves NIS 4 million in aid to those who are making the trip, as many do each year.

UTJ Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Meir Porush says that his ministry is so far the only one to fund this endeavor, noting that while he is aware of the travel warning, “Israel takes responsibility for its citizens… those who choose to travel anyway will receive service on behalf of the state.”