Israeli police arrest over 300 for breaking into shrine despite ban on gatherings
Hundreds of ultra-Othordox Israelis were arrested after defying coronavirus restrictions attempting to break into a holy shrine compound in northern Israel to mark the festival of Lag B'Omer.
2 min read
Ultra-orthodox Israelis mark Lag B'Omer with a bonfire in Jersualem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood [Getty]
Israeli police arrested over 300 people on Tuesday as officers attempted to disperse crowds that had assembled at a religious site in violation of coronavirus restrictions.
Police said despite regulations against large assemblies at Mount Meron in northern Israel and police checkpoints on roads near the site, hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews turned up and some "threw stones and other objects a police officers at the scene."
The festival of Lag B'Omer is customarily marked by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel by gathering at the tomb of a prominent rabbi in antiquity on Mount Meron.
As well as large gatherings, celebrations typically involve dancing and the lighting of bonfires.
Police released 317 people who they arrested for attempting to break into the sacred compound, Israeli media reported.
All were all fined for violating coronavirus guidelines, while three more people remained in jail, charged with assaulting police officers.
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis marked the holiday in Jerusalem with large assemblies despite bans on public gatherings of more than 20 people due to the virus pandemic.
Israel's ultra-Orthodox community has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus outbreak.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said earlier this week around 70% of the country's more than 16,500 confirmed cases were ultra-Orthodox, who make up around 12% of Israel's population.
Israel has reported 260 deaths from Covid-19. More than half of those infected in Israel have recovered.
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