“This year, due to COVID-19, a difficult situation, which the whole world is struggling with now. All large crowds of people give an increase in infection at times ... The massive celebration of Rosh Hashanah will lead to a colossal collapse. It will be a collapse in Ukraine, then it will be a collapse in other countries, ”Zelensky said.
He noted that he discussed the situation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the head of the Israeli government, about 8 thousand believers come to Ukraine from Israel to Rosh Hashanah every year.
“Therefore, they asked us to close Uman. This holiday is very important. I am sure that every year we will only strengthen our relations ... But we have a difficult situation, ”Zelensky explained.
He asked the rabbis to appeal to the Jewish community to avoid crowds on Rosh Hashanah this year.
Earlier, Zelensky instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to consider granting state status to a number of religious holidays, in particular, such as Eid al-Adha, Hanukkah and Easter for Western Christians.