Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews last night performed a mass prayer on the occasion of the end of Easter in the Mea Shaarim neighborhood of Jerusalem, violating the rules of non-assembly imposed as part of efforts to curb the spread of Corona.

Parallel to this, the Israeli Ministry of Health announced the registration of ten new deaths from the Corona virus, which raises the total to 140, while the number of infections rose to more than 12,500 cases. 

Since the beginning of the epidemic in Israel, the Israeli authorities have been waging a battle to persuade ultra-orthodox Jews to stop their gatherings, especially with the high numbers of casualties among them.

תיעוד מקומם מחסידות תולדות אברהם יצחק במאה שערים,
ליל שביעי של פסח השעה 1:15 בלילה
הרבי יצא למרפסת בירו ככככע300300300300300300300300 pic.twitter.com/cLnrjuO9g8

- אריאל אלחרר (@ariel_elharar_) April 15, 2020

In an effort to influence the "Haredi public" and persuade them of the seriousness of the Corona pandemic and the need to adhere to the instructions of the Ministry of Health, there have been many fatwas and rabbis' interpretations of biblical teachings stating the need to preserve human health and safety.

During the past weeks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared reluctant to issue orders to law enforcement authorities to implement restrictions and limit movement in the ultra-Orthodox community, in order not to anger his partners in the government coalition from the “Shas” and “United Torah Judaism” parties, while the police clashed with an opposition that had reached Confrontations when they tried to prevent gathering, praying in synagogues, and closing religious schools of the Haredim.