Netanyahu: "God did not always protect us in Europe"

The government has approved a resolution tasking the Minister of Jerusalem and Israel's Traditions, Meir Porush, to formulate an action plan to assist and ease the conditions of delay at the land border crossings for Israeli travelers to Oman.

For the purpose of implementing the government's decision, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Israel Tradition will allocate a total of 4 million NIS from its budget.

As part of a discussion at the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that in his conversation with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it was made clear that there are not enough shelters in Uman for local residents, let alone tourists from outside.

Meir Porush (Photo: Miriam Alster, Flash90.)

"Israeli citizens who travel to Ukraine should bear personal responsibility for their travel at this time," Netanyahu said. "God did not always protect us, not even the land of Europe and the land of Ukraine."

"It must be understood, in the State of Israel, when missiles fall, civilians go into shelters and there are defenses - there are no shelters and no defenses."

The Prime Minister instructed Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to refine the Foreign Ministry's travel warning regarding Ukraine and detail the threat of traveling there.

"Now is a time of danger"

The Minister for Settlement and National Missions, Orit Strook, also expressed opposition to the flight to Uman and said: "4 million shekel to ease the border crossings, that's all there is in the government's decision on Uman."

"There is not a single shekel that can give real protection to 35,000 Jews who are going to risk their lives in an open area without any shelter, without any protection against a brutal attack that could come at any moment."

"I voted against it so that those of you who are considering or debating whether to, decide not to go, it's too dangerous. Let's do it another year. I understand that the experience is an uplifting and special spiritual experience. This is not the time for this experience, now is a time of danger."

"Danger of life and lack of minimum conditions"

The explanation for the government's decision states that "last year, in the shadow of the situation in the region, there was an unusual load at the crossings which led to the collapse of all land crossings bordering Ukraine."

"At some of the borders, thousands of Israeli citizens stayed for long hours in the cold and in substandard conditions waiting to cross the border while risking their lives and lacking minimal conditions and in a difficult humanitarian situation."

"In order to prevent reaching a similar and even more serious situation this year, which could drag various branches of the State of Israel into urgent humanitarian activity and complex and expensive rescue operations - without any choice; and also in view of the success of the ministry in managing Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's celebration in Meron this year, at the request of the Ministry of National Security - who appealed to the Minister of Jerusalem and Israel's Tradition in this matter - the ministry headed by Minister Meir Porush was engaged to join the government's activities with regard to the movement of Israelis at the border crossings, through various actions, including outreach and coordination with travelers and communities and other issues."