Ukraine’s Presidential Administration Views Deportation of Hasidim as Domestic

The conflict between the Breslav Hasidim and the residents of Uman which occurred on 10 September during the pilgrimage of the Hasidim to the grave of Rabbi Nachman and which resulted in the deportation of 10 Hasidim was commented on by representatives of Ukraine's presidential administration.

The representatives stress that they view the incident as a misunderstanding of domestic character without a religious or national basis. As for the deportation of 10 Hasidim, it was “an appropriate reaction of the law enforcement authorities of Ukraine,” aimed at ensuring order and preventing a worsening of the situation.

According to the press-service of the president, the state authorities of Ukraine quote the statement of Hanna Herman and at the same time expect that the organizers of the celebration should ensure tolerant treatment of the local population and other confessions’ communities and unconditional observance of Ukrainian laws by the pilgrims in order to prevent inter-ethnic or inter-confessional tension in Ukrainian society.

The representatives of the Administration of the President of Ukraine also expressed hope that the organizers of the pilgrimage will learn due lessons from the incidents in Uman and will in future take additional steps to minimize the possibility of occurrence of such unpleasant situations.