High Court says it won’t block a coronavirus law limiting protests, for now

The High Court of Justice has declined to issue a stay on a law preventing travel over a kilometer from one’s place of residence to attend a demonstration.

The law was passed early this morning by the Knesset as part of the government’s efforts to curb coronavirus infections while Israel goes through its second pandemic lockdown.

Justice Neal Hendel has given the government a week — until October 7 — to respond to the Movement for Quality Government’s petition, according to an update by the plaintiffs on their Twitter account.

In its appeal to the High Court, the Movement says the new regulations constitute “grave harm to the rights of demonstrators.” It also says the new rules are “disproportionate,” saying there is little concrete evidence of infection at outdoor demonstrations.

— Aaron Boxerman