Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis on Sunday attended the funeral of a prominent rabbi in Jerusalem, flouting the country’s ban on large public gatherings during the lockdown.
The funeral procession for Rabbi Meshulam Soloveitchik, who died at the age of 99, wound its way through the streets of Jerusalem in the latest display of ultra-Orthodox Israelis’ refusal to obey coronavirus restrictions.
The phenomenon has undermined Israel’s aggressive vaccination campaign to bring an outbreak under control and threatened to hurt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March elections.
Two challengers accused Mr Netanyahu of failing to enforce the law because of pressure from his ultra-Orthodox political allies.
Densely packed throngs of people gathered outside the rabbi’s home, ignoring restrictions on outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people. Many did not wear masks.
Thousands of black-garbed ultra-Orthodox Israelis coursed past the city’s main entrance towards the cemetery where Soloveitchik was to be buried.
A handful of police officers blocked junctions to allow participants to pass, but appeared to take no action to prevent the illegal assembly.
Israeli media said Soloveitchik, a leading religious scholar who led well-known seminaries, recently suffered from Covid-19.
Police had little choice but to allow the massive procession to proceed, Alon Halfon, a Jerusalem police official, told Channel 13 TV.
Mr Halfon said police action helped to reduce the crowd size and that some 100 tickets were issued for health breaches.
But in such a densely packed environment, with children among the crowd, trying to disperse it would have been “unwise and dangerous".
Israel’s Health Ministry has recorded more than 640,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and at least 4,745 deaths.
The country has recently been averaging more than 6,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus each day, one of the highest infection rates in the developing world.
At the same time, Israel has vaccinated more than 3 million of its citizens, also one of the highest rates per capita in the world.
Health experts say it could take several weeks for the vaccination campaign to have an effect on infections and hospital admission rates.
The Israeli Cabinet was meeting on Sunday and expected to extend a nationwide lockdown for another week.
The government imposed the movement restrictions and closure of schools and non-essential businesses last month to try to curb Israel’s infections.
A disproportionate number of Israel’s coronavirus cases are within the ultra-Orthodox minority.
The strictly religious community, which makes up about 11 per cent of Israel’s 9.2 million people, has suffered about 40 per cent of new cases.
Many ultra-Orthodox sects have kept schools, seminaries and synagogues open, and held mass weddings and funerals in breach of lockdown restrictions that closed schools and businesses in other parts of the country.
Recent weeks have seen violent clashes between members of the ultra-Orthodox community flouting the rules and police officers trying to enforce them.
Ultra-Orthodox leaders say they have been unfairly singled out and that the country’s secular public does not understand the importance of public prayers and religious studies.
They claim those breaking the law are a small part of their diverse community, and blame crowded living conditions for the outbreak.
Mr Netanyahu has long relied on ultra-Orthodox parties for support, and critics say he has refused to anger his allies before critical elections.
Without ultra-Orthodox support, it will be extremely difficult for him to cobble together a governing coalition, especially as he seeks immunity from a corruption trial.
But there are signs that this alliance could become a liability because of widespread public anger over ultra-Orthodox behaviour during the pandemic.
A poll last week suggested that more than 60 per cent of Israelis do not want ultra-Orthodox parties to serve in the next coalition.
Sunday’s funeral came a day after police used a water cannon to disperse anti-Netanyahu protesters near the prime minister’s residence.
And Israeli media showed police aggressively handing out fines to people breaching the lockdown in Tel Aviv, drawing accusations of double standards.
Gideon Saar, a right-wing Israeli politician challenging Mr Netanyahu in the elections, criticised the prime minister on Twitter.
“The pictures from Jerusalem prove that Mr Netanyahu has given up on enforcing the law for political reasons," Mr Saar said.
"This won’t happen in a government headed by me. There will be one law for all and it will be enforced.”
Another challenger, Yair Lapid, leader of a centrist party appealing to middle-class secular voters, told Parliament that he had nothing against the ultra-Orthodox or their parties.
“I have a big problem with someone who thinks the law doesn’t apply to him,” he said. “The law is for everyone.”
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
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Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
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Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
The five pillars of Islam
Naga
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8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
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10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
EA Sports FC 24
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
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Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
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2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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