Israel's coronavirus chief urges Ukraine to ban Jewish pilgrimage


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The head of Israel's coronavirus task force has asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to ban an annual pilgrimage in which Hasidic Jews visit the central Ukrainian town of Uman over concerns the site may become a virus hotspot.

Tens of thousands of Hasidic Jews descend on Uman every Jewish New Year to visit the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who revived the Hasidic movement and died in 1810. This year, Jewish New Year celebrations run from Sept. 18-20.

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

No tsunami threat after 6.0-magnitude earthquake jolts U.S. Hawaii
Colombian right-wing presidential hopeful leads poll for runoff vote
Kyrgyzstan's road construction accelerates this year
2nd LD Writethru: DR Congo suspends passenger flights to Ebola-hit Bunia
Ethiopian Airlines' passenger numbers rise 80 pct in 8 years
1st LD: DR Congo suspends passenger flights to Ebola-hit Bunia
Urgent: DR Congo suspends passenger flights to Ebola-hit Bunia
Namibia celebrates unity, heritage at 16th Omagongo Festival
Kenya cuts diesel prices by 10 shillings to ease fuel costs amid global oil pressure
Across China: Int'l journalists witness innovation momentum in east China's Anhui

Others Also Read