Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 21, 2008 Shvat 14, 5768 | | Israel Time: 23:06 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Bratslev Hassidim getting checked by security at Ben Gurion Airport before flying to visit the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav in Ukraine.(Nir Keidar) Last update - 14:28 20/01/2008 Ukraine rejects more T.A. flights, despite Bratslav demands By Zohar Blumenkrantz, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Bratslav, Rabbi Nachman  An aviation crisis is looming between Israel and Ukraine over the latter's refusal to permit more flights between the countries to meet the needs of Bratslav Hasidim, who fly to Ukraine to visit the grave of the revered Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav. At a meeting convened Friday by Transportation Ministry Director General Gideon Sitterman, it was decided to demand new talks with Ukraine on opening the skies to competition on the Tel Aviv-Kiev line. However, a ministry spokesman denied there is a crisis. The Bratslav Hasidim, who were represented at the meeting by MK Menachem Porush and aviation law expert attorney Gadi Elbaz, appealed to the ministry to make this line competitive by adding charter flights or, alternatively, appointing a second regular carrier from each country. Advertisement Travel to Ukraine has swelled, reaching 250,000 passengers last year, of whom 170,000 flew to Kiev. Thirty percent of this traffic is Bratslav Hasidim or others affiliated with the movement, who paid an average of $700 apiece for airfare in 2007. Bratslav representatives said at the meeting with Sitterman that opening up the skies to real competition is the only way to get reasonable fares, with commensurate capacity. Sitterman promised to demand aviation talks with the Ukrainians soon to negotiate the matter. Under the existing aviation agreement, 14,000 seats may be added on flights over the Rosh Hashanah holiday, when Rabbi Nachman's adherents make their pilgrimage to Uman. The two countries' regular carriers get 5,000 seats each, with the rest going to Israeli and Ukrainian charter airlines. However, the Hasidim wish to visit the gravesite throughout the year, prompting the need for more regular and charter flights. Israel wants to increase the number of flights and allow additional charter companies to participate in 2008, but the Ukrainian aviation authorities have so far refused to change the status quo, in order to protect the national carrier. A spokesman for the Transportation Ministry said in response: "This is not an aviation crisis, but rather a request by the Bratslav Hasidim to increase the number of seats to Ukraine. The ministry's director general held a discussion on that request." More Jewish World news and features Related articles: Haaretz TV: A profitable pilgrimage Rabbi Nachman gravesite could be sold into private hands Rabbi Yosef slams pilgrimage to Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav's grave Bookmark to del.icio.us   Message from space A newly-launched Israeli spy satellite sends Iran a very clear message. Gravediggers' plight Even getting buried in the Gaza Strip has gotten more complicated these days.   1.   The Bratslav Community Should Move the Rabbi Tomb to Israel 01:44  |  Joseph E . 20/01/08   2.   Rabbi Nachman worship equals IDOL WORSHIP 02:49  |  Jorge 20/01/08   3.   Ukrainians must apologize to Jews 03:27  |  Moishe Kadish 20/01/08   4.   There is nothing wrong with idolatry 03:28  |  Buddhist 20/01/08   5.   He should be moved to Israel NOW! 03:49  |  CHRISTIAN 20/01/08   6.   He should be brought to the western wall 03:50  |  Mover 20/01/08   7.   Brelov= authentic Torah Judaism 06:50  |  eli 20/01/08   8.   A ploy for political relevance 07:36  |  Rowan Berkeley 20/01/08   9.   to Rowan antisemite #8 08:48  |  eli 20/01/08   10.   Just an excuse to to get a foothold into the commerce section of 08:50  |  robert carrington 20/01/08   11.   #9 eli 09:35  |  Rowan Berkeley 20/01/08   12.   #11 rowan and his hebrew lessons 10:03  |  eli 20/01/08   13.   #11 no, i was framed by her actually 10:16  |  Rowan Berkeley 20/01/08   14.   #12 eli 10:27  |  Rowan Berkeley 20/01/08   15.   #11 why would an "antisemite" want to learn hebrew anyway? 10:42  |  Rowan Berkeley 20/01/08   16.   In response to Jorge`s equation ........... 11:27  |  Jack B. 20/01/08   17.   # 4 your comments are noted and ignored 11:59  |  Petra 20/01/08   18.   Der Nister 08:52  |  sWeis Melbourne 21/01/08   19.   Rowan Berkeley 08:54  |  sWeis Melbourne 21/01/08   20.   Buddah says 22:09  |  sWeis Melbourne 21/01/08

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