Due to Dual Citizenship, Ukraine Detains Israeli Man and Forces Him into Compulsory Military Service

Hebrew reports revealed that an Israeli man was detained by Ukrainian authorities on his way back to Israel, coinciding with current Jewish holidays marking what is known as the Hebrew New Year.

The Hebrew website "Walla" reported that the 49-year-old Israeli, a follower of the Hasidic Breslov movement and resident of the settlement of Betar Ilit and father of six children, was arrested at the border crossing between Ukraine and Romania while returning to Israel after celebrating the Hebrew New Year in the city of Odesa, and was subsequently taken for military conscription into the Ukrainian army.

The Hebrew site stated that the man, an Israeli citizen of Ukrainian origin who has lived in Israel for many years, was apprehended during a document check.

According to informed sources, after speaking with police in Ukrainian, he was separated from others for additional screening; it was then discovered that he was subject to mandatory military service, and he was taken from the site to an unknown location.

Since his arrest, his family has lost contact with him, and they do not know where he is being held or where he has been transferred. Breslov movement activists are attempting to reach out to him in Ukraine and to rabbis in an effort to assist him, but he has not yet been found.

A source close to the family said they lack the ability to hire a local lawyer and fear their stay in the country may be prolonged.

According to the site, the Israeli Foreign Ministry informed the detainee’s family that efforts are currently underway to locate him. No new information has been provided regarding his release or handover to an Israeli representative.

This case arises under Ukraine’s strict compulsory military conscription laws since the outbreak of the Russian war.

As per the site, men aged between 18 and 60 who hold Ukrainian citizenship may be barred from leaving the country and summoned for military service, even if they also hold Israeli citizenship and have lived in Israel for years.

Tens of thousands of followers of the Breslov Hasidic movement were present in the city of Odesa this year to celebrate the Hebrew New Year, and many returned to Israel through land border crossings with Romania, Poland, and Moldova.

The Foreign Ministry has not issued any response to these reports so far.

It should be noted that last night, on the eve of what is called "Yom Kippur," over 150,000 settlers participated in Talmudic rituals, including the central recitation of "Slichot" prayers at the Western Wall near Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led the noisy ceremonies, reciting the Talmudic prayers, and he and his wife Sara, who attended the event with him, entered one of the tunnels carved beneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque area.