Due to the active war and fighting between Russian forces and Ukrainian forces, last week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sharpened the existing travel warning to Ukraine and called on Israeli citizens to strictly avoid coming to the territories of Ukraine, including the city of Oman and its surroundings. Despite the travel warning, Likud Knesset member Nir Barkat traveled to Uman in the heart of the war front.
Nir Barkat came to pray at Rabbi Nachman Bauman’s grave under heavy security, as part of a secret visit he is making these days in Ukraine. Barkat also met with the governor of Oman and discussed with him the estimates for the arrival of the hassidim on Rosh Hashanah pic.twitter.com/OuRKDTrerB
— Israel Cohen (@Israelcohen911) September 9, 2022
During the secret visit he is making these days, the Likud Knesset member met with the governor of the city and talked with him about the preparations for Rosh Hashanah in Uman in the shadow of the war, while he was accompanied by heavy security. Barkat also took the opportunity to pray at Rabbi Nachman’s grave. This is according to a publication by the journalist Israel Cohen.
Artisan, photo archive: shutterstock
Real and immediate danger to life
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cleared the travel warning and said that a few days ago missiles were fired into the area of the city of Oman which resulted in the death of one citizen, the injury of several citizens and caused great destruction: “Israeli citizens who are in Ukraine are called upon to leave the country’s borders immediately. The explosive security situation includes the danger of bombing from the air Or firing rockets also at civilian settlements and territories, including in the center and west of the country, constitute a real and immediate danger to life.”
According to the announcement, the government of Ukraine declared a state of emergency starting in February of this year, which may lead to a restriction of freedom of movement and the imposition of a curfew on various areas, as well as increased security and policing measures taken in the various areas, including inspections, arrests and deportation.
Along with the Israeli warning, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also published a statement requesting not to come to Uman this year due to the state of war and the difficulty of realizing their responsibility for the security and safety of worshipers. In addition, the Israeli embassy in Kyiv does not have a continuous presence in the territories of Ukraine these days, so it will not be possible to provide full consular services and it will be very difficult to provide care in an emergency.