Goldknopf Urges Netanyahu to Expand Uman Travel Framework to Include Chabad and Other Chassidic Groups

Chairman of United Torah Judaism MK Yitzchak Goldknopf has sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, calling on him to expand the government’s developing travel framework for Uman so that it includes additional chassidic groups, particularly Chabad, as well as other chassidic courts.

The current plan, being prepared by the government, is intended to ensure that Breslov chassidim can travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah without being detained at Ben Gurion Airport. In his letter, Goldknopf expressed deep appreciation to Netanyahu for his efforts, writing, “I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the government framework being formulated under your leadership, to assist Breslover chassidim traveling during the holy days of Rosh Hashanah to the resting place of their holy Rebbe in Uman.”

Goldknopf praised Netanyahu’s personal involvement, stating, “Your personal concern and willingness to find an appropriate solution for enabling this elevated spiritual gathering—which serves as a source of inspiration and strengthening for tens of thousands of families from Klal Yisroel for generations—is far from self-evident and commands great appreciation. It reflects the fundamental right of every Jew to celebrate the Yom Tov in the presence of his Rebbe and to pour out his tefillos at his makom kadosh.”

After expressing his thanks, Goldknopf presented his request: “Alongside my gratitude, I must respectfully bring another request raised by numerous inquiries received in my office from roshei yeshiva and prominent rabbonim within Chabad chassidus: to broaden the framework so that it will also include the thousands of Chabad chassidim who travel each year for the Yomim Tovim to be in the presence of their spiritual Rebbe—both those traveling to 770 in New York, and other chassidic courts who reached out on this matter as well, such as Skver, Bobov, and Vizhnitz-Monsey, as well as other gathering places around the world.”

Goldknopf emphasized that for these groups as well, the trips carry immense spiritual significance: “For them, too, this is an elevated spiritual experience that cannot be replaced, and it is our obligation to ensure they are granted the same right afforded to others.”

He concluded his letter with confidence that Netanyahu would respond positively: “I am fully confident that you will provide the proper solution so that additional circles within the chareidi and chassidic public will also be able to spend the Yomim Tovim in the presence of their Rebbe—in an organized, secure, and dignified manner.”

{Matzav.com Israel}