Israeli airports detain Hasidic draft evaders on their way to Uman

Hasidic pilgrims at Ben Gurion Airport. Archive photo: babel.ua

Israeli military police are detaining Hasidic draft evaders who are attempting to fly to Uman for the annual pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, reports the Israelinfo portal.

Over the past two weeks, dozens of Hasidim subject to military conscription have been detained while attempting to leave the country; some of them tried to bypass checks through the Taba checkpoint in order to travel to Egypt and then reach Ukraine via Europe. Draft evaders detained at Ben Gurion Airport are handed over to the Population and Immigration Authority after confirmation of active draft notices.

Ahead of the mass departure of tens of thousands of pilgrims, the Israel Airports Authority distributed leaflets in Hebrew and Yiddish in synagogues and ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods warning of the risks. 

According to the Emes portal, around 40 Hasidim are currently held in Military Prison No. 10 specifically for attempting to leave the country in defiance of the draft. Attorneys Aaron Rubinstein and Yosi Heshin, representing the detainees, stated that their clients are prepared to provide guarantees and post bail for their return, but have not been given this opportunity. 

As the UOJ reported, the safety of the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman is under the personal supervision of the president.

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