Last update - 00:00 22/02/2007
Ukraine temporarily halts construction near Rabbi Nachman's grave
By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondent
In the wake of Israeli intervention, Ukrainian authorities temporarily stopped construction work near the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav in the Ukrainian city of Uman on Wednesday.
The work was taking place about 100 meters from the rabbi's grave, where Bratslav Hasidim say a mass grave is located.
A hotel is slated to be built on the site where the construction was taking place, but the Hasidim want it classified as a heritage site.
Ukrainian authorities said additional evidence was needed before declaring the area a heritage site, and the Foreign Ministry has recommended that the Hasidim begin legal proceedings on the matter.
At the request of MK Meir Porush (United Torah Judaism), the ministry asked the Ukrainian ambassador to Israel on Tuesday to halt the construction until the situation is clarified.