Despite the war in Ukraine and intense warnings from the Israeli government about the security risks, about 22,000 Jewish pilgrims gathered in the city of Uman in the center of the country to celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
“About 22,000 Hasidic Jews have already arrived in Uman,” regional governor Igor Taburets said on the online service Telegram. Most came from Israel, the US and ‘other European countries.’ Hasidism is a mystical religious renewal movement within ultra-orthodox Judaism. The grave of the founder of this movement, Rabbi Nachman, is in Uman.
Although the city in central Ukraine is relatively far from the front, there have been isolated air raids on Uman since the outbreak of the war more than eighteen months ago. In April, more than twenty civilians were killed in a bombing.
Mobile protective equipment, Israeli police officers
Mobile concrete protective equipment has been installed and around a thousand security forces are deployed for the event. “Currently the situation in Uman is stable and under control. Alertness has been increased,” emphasized the responsible governor Igor Taburez. Security forces from Israel are also on the ground, patrolling alongside Ukrainian police officers.
Pro-Russian media reports about attack plans
Ukrainian intelligence services have also warned of possible ‘Russian attacks’. The reason for this is reports in pro-Russian media, which in turn allege a Ukrainian “false flag” operation over the weekend, blamed on the Russian armed forces. The Ukrainian Center Against Disinformation called on the public not to believe “foreign attempts at manipulation.”
Tens of thousands of pilgrims were also present last year
Last year, a few months after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, tens of thousands of pilgrims also gathered in Uman. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, called for “all prayers for victory, all prayers for peace in Ukraine to be answered.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
