Haredi MK on proposal to up fines: ‘Even in the Holocaust they continued to study Torah’

United Torah Judaism MK Yisrael Eichler criticizes the coronavirus cabinet’s approval of increased fines for violators of lockdown measures, including for educational institutions.

Many schools in ultra-Orthodox areas have opened in defiance of restrictions, with top community leaders supporting them doing so.

“Even in the Holocaust they continued to study Torah,” Eichler is quoted saying by the Ynet news site. “We must defend ourselves and refuse to close Torah institutions… all the greats of the generation are unequivocally ordering the continuation of studies while maintaining hygiene.”

After being approved by the coronavirus cabinet, the proposal to increase fines will now go the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. If it wins approval there, it will be brought to the Knesset plenum for approval.