IN THE WORLD TODAY
Protesters in clash with Israeli police
ULTRA-Orthodox demonstrators have clashed with police in two of Israel’s major cities, as authorities faced new difficulties with enforcing coronavirus restrictions in the country’s religious communities.
The clashes occurred in Jerusalem and Ashdod as police attempted to close religious schools that had opened in violation of lockdown orders.
Throughout the pandemic, many major ultra-Orthodox sects have flouted safety regulations, continuing to open schools, pray in synagogues and hold mass weddings and funerals.
This has contributed to a disproportionate infection rate, with the ultra-Orthodox community accounting for more than a third of Israel’s coronavirus cases – despite making up just over 10% of the population.
In Jerusalem, police fired tear gas and putrid-smelling water to disperse a crowd of hundreds of ultra-Orthodox residents outside a reopened school.
Demonstrators cried “get out of here, Nazis” at officers who were filmed arresting participants.
In the coastal city of Ashdod, police scuffled with dozens of protesters outside an ultraOrthodox school.
Five officers were wounded in the disputes, and at least four people were arrested, police said.
With the country experiencing a raging coronavirus outbreak, the Israeli government last week extended the country’s third nationwide lockdown until the end of January.
The Israeli Health Ministry has recorded more than 595,000 cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic and 4361 deaths attributed to the virus.