Israel urges its citizens to leave Ukraine, refrain from visiting Uman during Rosh Hashanah - Foreign Ministry statement

MOSCOW. July 26 (Interfax) - The Israeli Foreign Ministry has called on Israeli citizens to refrain from visiting Ukraine, including the city of Uman in the Cherkasy region and its environs.

"Israeli citizens currently in Ukraine are urged to leave the country as soon as possible. The volatile security situation [...] presents a real and immediate danger to life," the ministry said in a statement in the run-up to the celebration of Rosh Hashanah in Uman.

The ministry pointed out that the Ukrainian government declared a state of emergency on February 24, 2022, thus restricting freedom of movement, enforcing curfews, and stepping up levels of security and policing in various areas of the country.

It also warned that the Israeli embassy "does not currently have a constant presence in Ukraine, therefore consular services will not be available."

The Ukrainian embassy to Israel said in early July that, due to a lack of security guarantees, pilgrims would be discouraged from arriving in Ukraine to celebrate Rosh Hashanah this year.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk addressed Israeli media concerning trips to Ukraine during the upcoming Jewish holidays. "We cannot guarantee security of pilgrims and currently do not allow tourists and visitors to enter Ukraine," he said.

Hassidim pilgrims from around the world traditionally come to Uman each fall to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and visit the grave of Rebbe Nachman, the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement.