8 months ago

Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Tours Entry Detainees Compound At Ben Gurion Airport

In light of the allegations raised about the treatment of those coming from Ukraine, the Rabbi of Ukraine and the Minister of Jerusalem and Israel’s Traditions came to the compound to check the conditions of those waiting for questioning at Ben Gurion Airport in an air-conditioned compound with free food • Full Story, Photos

Rabbi Asman and the Minister Porush in a joint message: “Israel is working to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and is attentive to requests from Kiev. The trip to Uman is a religious and humanitarian matter that strengthens the bond between the peoples, and it is important that it continue like this.”

The Minister of Jerusalem and Israel’s Traditions, Meir Porush, and the Rabbi of Ukraine, Rabbi Moshe Asman, toured the compound where Ukrainian citizens are staying, waiting to be questioned at the entrance to Israel, in order to assess the conditions and examine the claims raised on the subject.

Rabbi Asman and Minister Porush held a number of talks in recent days following the public atmosphere in Ukraine regarding the relationship between the Israeli government and Ukraine, and agreed to work together to convey to the public a religious message of reconciliation and shared monetary concern for the situation.

In light of the conversation on this topic and the alarm raised by the chairman of the Bratslav Hasidic Secretariat, Nachman Benshaya, during discussions with the Ukrainian authorities, Rabbi Asman decided to visit Israel immediately to work together to influence this situation, on behalf of tens of thousands of Bratslav Hasidim who want to go to the Rosh Hashanah prayer in Uman.

During the visit to Ben Gurion Airport, the managers of the border crossing presented the situation in its entirety, according to which the officials treat Ukrainian citizens who come at the country’s gates in a nice and respectful manner, and those who require a more thorough examination are transferred to a spacious air-conditioned place with food and drink, in order to make their stay there pleasant.

The Israeli authorities note that only 5% of those coming from Ukraine are refused entry, that is, only about 2,500 out of more than 47,000 Ukrainians who have arrived in Israel since the beginning of the calendar year. Border officials note that the refusals involve people who came to Israel to work illegally.

At a meeting held at the Minister of Jerusalem and Israel’s Traditions, the rabbi of Ukraine raised the humanitarian problems that currently exist in the country, and told Minister Porush that he expects the Israeli government to help the Ukrainian people who have been groaning for a year and a half under the heavy fighting.

Minister Porush, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen, supported and strengthened the need for humanitarian assistance to refugees from Ukraine at the last cabinet meeting, and stressed that they would continue to act on the issue. Rabbi Asman pledged that he would work with all his might to facilitate the entry of everyone who goes to a big meeting to Rabbi Nachman from Bratslav (His right will protect us, Amen) to Uman.

Rabbi of Ukraine, Rabbi Moshe Asman: “At the end of my meeting with Rabbi Porush, I wanted to convey to the Ukrainian public the message that we are dealing with a religious and humanitarian issue, and the clergy must be the ones who always work to bring hearts together and reduce tension between nations.”

The Minister of Jerusalem and Israel’s Traditions, Meir Porush: “I thank Rabbi Asman for helping us in the effort to facilitate the travel of the Bratslav Hasidim to Uman and I asked him to convey the message in Ukraine that we are attentive to their hardship and will continue to act on their behalf in humanitarian ways.”

Chairman of the Bratslav Hasidic Secretariat, Nachman Benshaya: “We ask the authorities in Israel to behave as is customary with the citizens of Ukraine so that the authorities in Ukraine behave accordingly with the citizens of Israel who wish to come and pray in Uman on Rosh Hashanah. I thank Rabbi Asman for his activity to improve the relationship between the nations for the success of the trip to the Holy Zion.”