Less than a month before Rosh Hashanah, Ukraine conveyed a message to Israel threatening to block Jews from Uman due to its disgruntlement over Ukrainians who were allegedly deported from Israel.
The message was conveyed in a statement in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s weekly briefing to Ukrainian citizens on Friday that was published on the Ukrainian presidential website.
“I listened to the reports of the Border Guard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and intelligence on the treatment of our citizens – immigrants who are in different countries, and regarding visa regimes,” Zelensky said, without specifically mentioning Israel. “The issues that the citizens of Ukraine actually face in the visa issue – managers responsible for these issues were given appropriate tasks. The rights of Ukrainian citizens must be guaranteed.”
Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk clarified the statement on Sunday, saying it was directed at Israel.
“The government of Ukraine will not tolerate the humiliation of its citizens upon entering Israel,” Korniychuk said. “We will suspend our bilateral visa waiver agreements as stipulated by Article 7 of the intergovernmental agreement. This option is on the table of our government.”
He added: “It is unthinkable that we would have to go out of our way to host tens of thousands of Israelis in Uman, with high-security risk and a huge logistical effort, when on the other hand – the Israeli government mistreats our citizens who come to Israel within the framework of the agreement between the two countries. If Israel wants its citizens to be able to come to Ukraine as tourists, including Uman, I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu should personally intervene in finding a solution to the current state of affairs.”
Interior and Health Minister Moshe Arbel said in response: “I completely reject the claims of the humiliation of Ukrainian citizens upon entering Israel. The Israeli immigration policy welcomes tourists from many countries in the world, including Ukraine. In cases where there is suspicion of the illegal use of a tourist visa for work or settlement purposes, the Population and Immigration Authority exercises its legal authority.”
Arbel added: “The brave partnership between Israel and Ukraine will continue. As the Health Minister, I am proud of the completion of the process of transferring medications to Ukraine and of the collaborations in the field of health that my office maintains and I intend to continue and deepen these collaborations.”
According to data from Israel’s Population Authority, about 10% of Ukrainians who arrive in Israel are refused entry, a similar number to those denied entry from other countries.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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11 Responses
Actually, that would be a positive outcome over the long-term and keep tens of thousands of yidden at home for Rosh Hashanah and avoid the annual craziness in Uman. Even before it became a WAR ZONE, there were multiple reasons to stop subsidizing one of the most anti-semitic countries in history. Keep any security threats from Ukraine OUT of Israel and let them refuse entry to any or all Yidden.
And this farce of a “Jew” complains about not receiving weapons from Israel….
“subsidizing one of the most anti-semitic countries in history”
So you don’t support sending billions of dollars to Ukraine?
Gadolhadorah,
There are non married men that go too
As mentioned in an earlier comment, Klal Yisroel had much to gain by Ukraine shutting out Jews for Rosh Hashana, both before the war and more so now. Additionally, Israel should not be spending a dime on helping Ukraine, considering how antisemitic they have been throughout, beginning with their collaborations with the Nazis YM”Sh. And also, it’s nice to see how Ukraine bites off its nose to spite its face, given the tremendous economy that has been built over the years from the advent of foolish rich Jews coming to get R”H spirituality in that Jewish blood-soaked land.
Ukraine is being destroyed. Dispicable.
But American jews can still go, no?
While everyone is spewing their ignorance, maybe it’s time to realize that politically, Israel is in a bad position with the war in Ukraine. It doesn’t take a genius to figure this out; any thinking person, Jew or non-Jew can figure this out!
Ultimately, Israel, as a Jewish nation has always done best to stay out of world politics. In this case, they have Ukraine and the west pulling them from one side and Russia on the other! Since we are a people more than a nation (that too!), there are Jewish interests all over the world. Contrast that with other religions; Jews are devoted and have responsibilities to all Jews no matter where they live. Care needs to be taken not to upset that delicate balance!
I think even the Zionist state of Israel understands this, while it’s sad to see many on this forum, don’t!
no Jew should go to Ukraine, no Jew should even look into the eyes of evil Christian Zelensky, see what happens when a jew marries a goy, see where lack of loyalties and threats replace nice….Ukraine are Nazi’s the worse of all and Hitlers right hand……can’t wait till this man is standing before our Hashem…
Meh, don’t mind visiting Uman, Russia.
Once again ywn posts a title that is inaccurate and misleading then people write comments without reading the article, classic.