Breslov Rabbis Warn Draft Dodgers to Avoid Ben Gurion Airport

Leading Breslov Hasidic rabbis have issued an unusual directive warning young men subject to military conscription, particularly those defined as draft dodgers or facing arrest warrants, to stay away from Ben Gurion Airport ahead of the Rosh Hashanah holiday. The rabbis cited information that military police and immigration authorities have established checkpoints and strict screening procedures at the airport specifically to apprehend individuals with outstanding military orders or exit bans.

Rabbi Shalom Arush and Rabbi Natan Efrem Koenig stated in a letter that any individual with a conscription order, arrest warrant, draft dodger status, or exit ban will be immediately detained if they attempt to pass through the airport. They emphasized that such arrests would not only prevent the individual from reaching Uman, Ukraine, for the pilgrimage to Rabbi Nachman's grave but would also cause significant distress to their families.

The rabbis also warned of the "terrible desecration of God's name" that public arrests at the airport could cause. They urged anyone aware of a legal or security restriction against them not to risk attempting to travel.

In addition to the warnings for conscription-age individuals, the rabbis addressed the difficulties of the journey to Uman itself, which has become more complicated due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The trip now requires arduous overland travel through multiple countries and transit points. They advised travelers to be patient, act responsibly, follow instructions from organizers and security personnel, and avoid unnecessary confrontations, stressing the importance of maintaining composure during potential delays.