Covid: non-compliance with health measures, the ultra-Orthodox in the sights of the Israelis
Audio 01:24
While Israel is exemplary in terms of vaccination against Covid-19, it still does not really see the benefits, and is even experiencing an outbreak of contaminations.
Part of the population is angry with the ultra-Orthodox community which is breaking free from health measures.
REUTERS - RONEN ZVULUN
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
In Israel, the population is angry with the ultra-Orthodox.
This religious Jewish community is totally freed from restrictive measures linked to the coronavirus: non-compliance with confinement, refusal to wear a mask.
While the country is exemplary in terms of vaccination against Covid-19, it still does not really see the benefits, and is even experiencing an outbreak of contaminations.
The authorities have therefore taken the decision to extend the confinement once again.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem
,
Sami Boukhelifa
In Jerusalem, behind his counter, Tomer contemplates his empty delicatessen.
His customers have deserted their store because of the repeated confinements.
For this trader, the ultra-Orthodox are irresponsible.
“
They live their lives without worrying about the rest of society.
They are not at all united.
It is a state within a state.
They have their own laws dictated by their rabbis, which tell them how to live.
And because of this, the confinements are extended,
”said Tomer.
This week in Jerusalem, at least 20,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews, who often refuse to wear masks, gathered for a funeral.
هزاران تن از یهودیان بنیادگرا بدون رعایت فاصلۀ اجتماعی در مراسم تشییع یک خاخام شرکت کردنه ـ ن
Meanwhile, the country is at a standstill, schools are closed and parents furious.
“
It's really disappointing to see religious behaving in this way.
They got together for a funeral, but in fact they have no respect for human life.
And they are not the only ones, there are those who gather to demonstrate against the government and the youngest who celebrate, it is also disrespectful.
In reality, many people do not respect confinement,
”explains Adi, a mother who went out to take the air with her son in a public garden.
But unlike revelers and protesters, against whom the authorities are cracking down, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu refuses to anger the ultra-Orthodox.
They are his last political allies.
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To listen: Covid-19 in Israel: the ultra-Orthodox are still just as resistant to confinement
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