A day after it was reported that the Minister for Jerusalem Affairs, Meir Porush, took upon himself the responsibility on behalf of the government to coordinate the travel of Israelis to Uman for the Jewish New Year, and attempted to assist the sexual offender Eliezer Berland in entering the territory of Ukraine, which caused a major uproar, he explains his side.
"I was requested by the official authorities of the State of Israel to handle the matter of Uman and organize the travel of tens of thousands of Breslov Hasidim to Ukraine," explains Porush, and adds, "There was concern that Hasidim who were denied entry might gather at the borders out of a desire to enter Ukraine, potentially causing a humanitarian and diplomatic crisis, as has occurred in previous years."
He notes that his intention was to assist the general situation and not to personally aid Eliezer Berland: "As part of the task assigned to me, I saw it fitting to act in every possible way to ensure order at the border crossings between Ukraine and the transit countries. I did not approach this on a personal basis, and certainly not on behalf of the State of Israel, in order to address personal concerns, but rather out of concern for the broader needs."