Israeli Transport Minister promises Hasidim a free route to Uman
Israeli Hasidim preparing for the trip to Uman. Photo: News of Israel
On August 29, 2025, Israel’s Minister of Transport Miri Regev announced measures to organize an unhindered journey to Uman for Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year, September 22–24), reports News of Israel.
The preparations are being coordinated by the Israeli government: with Ukrainian airspace closed, pilgrims are to be routed through Moldova, Romania, and Poland. Israel’s Ministry of Transport is arranging special boarding slots for flights and negotiating transit passage through neighboring countries.
It is recalled that in 2024 the pilgrimage turned into a crisis: Moldova effectively blocked transit to Uman, and many Israelis were stranded in Romania’s Bacău Airport. Hasidim complained of rough treatment by police, poor conditions, and hours of waiting. The situation was further complicated by mass flight cancellations after the EU advised against flights over Israeli and Lebanese airspace.
This year, Israeli authorities insist on unhindered flights and expect that the opening of Israel’s embassy in Moldova will help secure smooth border crossings with local authorities. However, it remains uncertain whether diplomats will be able to prevent a repeat of last year’s crisis for tens of thousands of pilgrims.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman would turn into a raid on draft dodgers.
Read also
Bulgarian Patriarch prays for reconciliation between Ukraine and Russia
On the anniversary of Sofia’s liberation from Ottoman rule, Patriarch Daniel prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine.
President of Georgia congratulates Patriarch Ilia on his 93rd birthday
Mikheil Kavelashvili congratulated the Primate of the Georgian Church on his birthday.
UOC Primate: We must live so that our descendants remember us with love
On the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, His Beatitude reminded the faithful that the Lord came to save not only the righteous, but sinners as well.
OCU journalist: it was under Maliuk that SBU began to "drive out" UOC
Koshkina emphasized Maliuk's role in the persecutions of the Church by the SBU.
Usyk expresses support for SBU head Maliuk
A parishioner of the UOC, Oleksandr Usyk, published a photo with the SBU head and the caption "We support Maliuk".
UOC Social Department in Kyiv distributes humanitarian aid to IDPs
Employees of the Social Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) held a charitable event to support internally displaced persons.