Israeli Man Arrested in Ukraine for Military Draft After Rosh Hashanah Pilgrimage

An Israeli man, Yonatan Karlinksky, 49, a married father of one who made aliyah 14 years ago from Ukraine, was detained at the Orlivka-Isaccea border crossing while returning from Uman, Ukraine, where he had joined tens of thousands of Breslov Hasidim for Rosh Hashanah prayers. Karlinksky, who was born in Ukraine and holds both Israeli and Ukrainian citizenship, was traveling on a bus operated by "Derech Tzadikim" when border officials identified him as a Ukrainian citizen after overhearing him speak Ukrainian. He was removed from the bus and has not been seen or heard from since, apart from a brief email and failed attempts to contact his wife.

According to a friend, Karlinksky was reportedly transferred to Odessa for conscription into the Ukrainian army. The friend noted that Karlinksky had traveled to Uman annually, even after the war began, without incident, and likely believed his Israeli citizenship would exempt him from conscription.

His wife, Odell, expressed deep distress, particularly because she missed his calls shortly before his detention. She stated that her husband is being held at a military base near Odessa and is undergoing the conscription process. She fears he will be unable to observe Jewish practices, including dietary laws, while in the army. Odell is in contact with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs but is seeking urgent assistance, acknowledging that Ukrainian law is paramount and that his detention is considered legal under Ukrainian statutes.

She emphasized her husband's strong ties to Israel, where he has lived for over 14 years, and appealed for efforts to secure his return. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident.