Draft Dodgers to Uman? Israel’s Plan to Save Rosh Hashanah Pilgrimage

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed his office to explore solutions allowing yeshiva students classified as draft evaders to travel to Uman, Ukraine, for Rosh Hashanah prayers at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. The issue was raised by Shas party leader Aryeh Deri during a meeting addressing the annual pilgrimage, which attracts around 50,000 Israelis from diverse backgrounds. Deri highlighted that over 5,000 yeshiva students, labelled as deserters due to their failure to comply with mandatory military service, risk detention at Ben-Gurion Airport if they attempt to join the pilgrimage. Without direct flights to Uman and amid Israel’s ongoing lack of a comprehensive conscription law, these students face significant obstacles.

“They’re traveling for prayer, not for vacation; we need to find a solution,” Netanyahu stated, instructing his office director-general to assess feasible options. Deri, who has been engaging with Netanyahu for weeks, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue to prevent disruptions at the airport. His office noted that approximately 10,000 yeshiva students traditionally participate in the Uman pilgrimage, and their draft status could lead to severe complications during travel. Deri proposed a regulated framework to distinguish between travel for religious purposes and leisure, aiming to facilitate the journey for Breslov Hasidim while navigating legal constraints.

The absence of an equal conscription law has long fuelled tensions in Israel, particularly regarding exemptions for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students, a politically sensitive issue. Deri’s advocacy reflects the broader challenge of balancing religious traditions with military obligations. His office affirmed, “Rabbi Deri has been working for weeks with the Prime Minister to enable the travel of some 50,000 Israelis from all sectors who pray annually at Rabbi Nachman’s tomb in Uman for Rosh Hashanah, despite the lack of direct flights. Due to the absence of these individuals adhering to drafting, he raised concerns about the potential issues for around 10,000 yeshiva students classified as draft-obligated, which could cause significant problems at the airport.” Deri remains committed to ensuring all Breslov Hasidim can uphold their tradition.