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

Rivne Eparchy holds “Bible Experts” Olympiad

Students of Sunday schools attached to the churches of the Northern Deanery of the Rivne Eparchy tested their knowledge of Holy Scripture.

Monastic tonsure performed at Brailiv Women’s Monastery

Metropolitan Varsonofiy of Vinnytsia presided over the tonsure of two residents of the Holy Trinity convent.

LGBT Archbishopess of Wales: After my appointment, believers began to leave

The first openly homosexual archbishop acknowledged that her election caused parishioners to leave.

In Volyn, archaeologists find 13th-century treasure with crosses and jewelry

In the Volyn region, archaeologists have unearthed an Old Rus’ treasure containing over 500 items.

WHO statistics: Abortion becomes leading cause of death worldwide in 2025

Last year, more than 73 million abortions were recorded, exceeding the number of deaths from all other causes combined.

In Iraq, Islamists demand execution of cardinal over "political" homily

The Chaldean Catholic Patriarch clarified that he was referring to spiritual normalization in society, yet his words were interpreted as having a political meaning.