JERUSALEM — The Israeli government is preparing a temporary terminal at Chisinau Airport in Moldova to support thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews traveling to Uman, Ukraine, for Rosh Hashanah. Officials estimate the total operation will cost NIS 20 million ($5.3 million), including terminal construction, security, policing, food services, and logistical support. Construction of the terminal alone is expected to cost around $2.6 million, with the remainder covering operational expenses.
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The terminal is designed to handle up to 500 travelers per hour. Israel plans to deploy 90 aviation security officers, 24 police officers, and 50 interpreters to manage the operation. Outbound flights are scheduled from mid- to late September, with return trips in the last week of the month.
The project has drawn criticism from lawmakers and legal authorities. In August, the government allocated NIS 10 million to support the pilgrimage, prompting objections that public funds should not facilitate travel for individuals who have not fulfilled mandatory military service. The Deputy Attorney-General also ruled that allowing students who failed to report for service to leave the country would be unlawful.
Political figures, including Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberman, have voiced strong opposition, arguing that subsidizing these flights during wartime undermines national priorities.