Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, runs from 18 to 20 September. Hasidic Jews travel to Ukraine every Jewish New Year in their tens of thousands to worship at Rabbi Nahman's tomb. But Ukraine is keen to avoid a spike in coronavirus infections, and Kyiv has closed its borders to foreigners until late September. However, Ukraine has accused Belarus of encouraging more Jewish pilgrims to go to their shared border, as 2,000 (including children) are camped out at the border of the two countries, where charities and pilgrims are running out of food and medical supplies. ‘We are stuck here with no money, no roof, no food or drink’, said Haim Weitshandler. He urged the Israeli government to resolve what he called a ‘humanitarian catastrophe’. Ukraine said that Belarus was ‘exacerbating tensions’ by claiming that the pilgrims will be able to cross the border.
Belarus: growing tensions at Ukraine border over Jewish pilgrims
Written by David Fletcher 17 Sep 2020Additional Info
- Pray: for Ukraine and Israel to successfully urge Belarus to open its border to release pilgrims from the neutral territory they are currently stranded in. (Psalm 25:15)
- More: www.euronews.com/2020/09/15/hundreds-of-hasidic-jews-blocked-at-ukraine-border-plea-for-help
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