Ahead of the journey of tens of thousands of Breslov hasidim to Uman, Ukraine, for Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), an unprecedented police operation is underway.
According to the figures, approximately 45,000 worshippers from around the world are expected to arrive in Uman this year, including approximately 35,000 Israeli citizens who will make the long and complicated journey to the gravesite of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.
Due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace amid the ongoing war, travelers are required to land in neighboring countries - including Romania, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria - and continue from there on lengthy overland journeys to their destination.
For the first time on such a scale, and due to the security complexities, Israel Police is preparing to send an unprecedented delegation of more than 40 officers who will be stationed in Ukraine, Romania, and at key transit points.
Police teams will accompany travelers, assist with translation and interactions with local authorities, and work to prevent unusual incidents.
According to a Ynet report, the size of the force may be increased further as necessary, depending on requests from additional transit countries. Alongside the police officers, Israel's Foreign Ministry will station dozens of diplomats at airports and along travel routes to provide comprehensive assistance.