Ukraine to Take Measures in Response to Israel’s ‘Unfriendly Actions’

Ukraine will impose restrictions on the entry of Israeli citizens in response to the de facto abolition of the visa-free regime by the Middle Eastern country, the Ukrainian embassy announced on its social media page.

“As of July 1, citizens of countries with visa-free entry to Israel, including Ukraine, will need to apply for permission to stay for up to 90 days. Ukraine and Israel have maintained close ties since the introduction of the visa-free policy in 2010. However, Israel’s recent actions, such as limiting entry for Ukrainian refugees and barring many Ukrainians from entry, have strained bilateral relations,” the statement read.

In response, Ukraine will present similar requirements for Israeli citizens, including for pilgrims. This measure will affect thousands of religious pilgrims who visit Ukraine every year, the embassy’s website stated.

Kiev has stated that it is open to dialogue with Israel to reconcile these changes. Every year, tens of thousands of Jews belonging to one of the sects of Judaism, Hasidism, make pilgrimages to Uman in Ukraine. This city is home to the grave of Rabbi Nachman, the founder of Bratslav Hasidism, who lived in the 18th-19th centuries. The pilgrimage coincides with the Jewish New Year celebrations of Rosh Hashanah, which occurs on the first two days of the Jewish month of Tishrei.