From the Liveblog of
Sunday, November 1, 2020
Government okays increasing fines for closure violators despite Haredi objections
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleThe government approves new regulations increasing the fines to be handed out for violations of coronavirus restrictions, but under pressure from the ultra-Orthodox parties says the matter will be discussed tomorrow by the so-called coronavirus cabinet before it is discussed by the Knesset.
Ministers from the Shas party either vote against the regulations or are absent from the vote. The leaders of the other Haredi party, United Torah Judaism — which doesn’t have ministers — have reiterated that they will vote against the move in both the Knesset committee and the plenum.
The ultra-Orthodox parties view the regulations as targeting their community since the majority of institutions violating the rules have been Haredi.
The new regulations, if approved, would increase the fine for opening a business or public space from NIS 5,000 ($1,467) to NIS 10,000 ($2,935).
The current NIS 5,000 ($1,467) fine for holding a party, conference, ceremony, festival, entertainment or art show in violation of the rules would be increased to NIS 20,000 ($5,870).
Similarly, the fine for defying the ban on opening education institutions (other than preschools and grades 1-4) will be upped from NIS 5,000 ($1,467) to NIS 20,000 ($5,870).
The Times of Israel Community.