Uman – Hasidic Jews preparing for the upcoming pilgrimage to Uman witnessed the destruction of their costly equipment and security fences by nearly 100 Ukrainian nationalists this past Shabbos, rendering the Hasidim powerless to do anything but watch. Observers report that though police were called to the scene, they failed to intercede and diplomatic channels have not yielded any suspects, according to a report by Ynet News.
“On Shabbat, when they knew we wouldn’t be able to respond or activate the communication device, they simply knocked down the fence, pushed the light poles and security cameras and caused damage estimated at half a million dollars,” said Eliezer Kirshboim, chairman and director of the Jewish association in Uman.
The hostile attitude and harassment against the Hasidim has persisted despite the fact that the Jews have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the City. Kirschboim said the intention of the nationalistic groups is to discourage Hasidim from coming to the Ukraine at all because of the intimidation.
Kirshboim explained that the so-called right-wing activists “harass the Jewish Hasidim” in an effort to garner good will and political points with the local community. “Whoever harasses the Hasidim more has a better chance of winning the elections in October. There is a crazy state of anarchy. All they want is a bribe and to prove they are harassing Hasidim.”
As reported by Vos Iz Neias