A third of Bnei Brak residents tested for coronavirus are positive
34 percent of mainly-Charedi residents who’ve been tested have the disease, compared to six percent in Tel Aviv and 10 percent in Jerusalem
One in three residents, or 34 percent, of the mostly Charedi city of Bnei Brak in central Israel who have been tested for the coronavirus are positive.
The high percentage of positive tests reported Tuesday by the Health Ministry compares to 6 percent in Tel Aviv and 10 percent in Jerusalem.
There are 505 confirmed cases of coronavirus among residents of Bnei Brak compared to 568 in Jerusalem, which has a population five times higher.
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, who is Charedi, was confirmed this week as having tested positive. He said that he proposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Interior Minister Arye Deri to impose a total lockdown on Bnei Brak to stem the spread of COVID-19.
“The situation there is horrible,” Litzman said, according to Ynet. “Every day we stall, we put lives at risk.”
He rejected accusations that the Charedi, or ultra-Orthodox, community was flouting government rules regarding coronavirus.
“You cannot accuse an entire public of the actions of several rogue groups here and there,” Litzman said. “Ninety-nine percent of the public listen to the state and the rabbis.”
In recent days, high-profile Charedi rabbinic leaders have called on their followers to follow government restrictions, including against praying in a synagogue with a minyan.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
