Flights Delayed at Ben Gurion Airport Over Deserter Arrests En Route to Uman

Several flights were delayed at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday due to the arrest of several Breslov Hasidic men who are army deserters. The men were attempting to leave Israel en route to their spiritual leader, Rabbi Nachman of Uman, in Ukraine, ahead of Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi Nachman reportedly promised a good year to those who would be with him for the holiday, prompting the Hasidim to try by all means to reach his gravesite.

The arrests caused disruptions to the departure schedule and delays for passengers traveling to various European destinations. Among the affected flights were a Wizz Air flight to Krakow, scheduled to depart at 11:00 AM, and another Wizz Air flight to Budapest.

The delays occurred because security and enforcement personnel at the airport had to locate the luggage of the arrested individuals, which had already been loaded onto the planes. They then had to search and inspect the luggage before approving the flights' continued operation.

These events come against the backdrop of the High Holidays, the mass pilgrimage to Uman, and increased security and enforcement at Ben Gurion Airport. The heightened scrutiny is due to attempts by deserters and those evading military conscription to leave the country.